An OSHA investigation launched after the drowning death of a dock worker has resulted in more than a quarter of a million dollars in proposed penalties against his employer. An employee of North Florida Shipyards Inc., a shipbuilding and repair company, suffered fatal injuries at the company's Commodores Point facility in Jacksonville, Florida. He drowned after a pressured air manifold struck him and knocked him into the St. Johns River.

OSHA has cited North Florida Shipyards for safety violations, including exposing employees to being struck-by, drowning, amputation, caught-in, and electrical hazards; allowing scuba divers to be unaccompanied by another diver; and failing to ensure machine guarding. Proposed fines total $271,061,

“As this case demonstrates, it is important for employers to identify existing hazards, and follow required safety procedures to protect workers from serious injuries,” said OSHA Jacksonville Acting Area Office Director Buddy Underwood.