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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 310896915 - George Harms Construction Co., Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Marlton Area Office
Site Address:
George Harms Construction Co., Inc.
Route 70 Bridge
Manasquan, NJ 08736
Mailing Address:
Po Box 817, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Union Status: Union
SIC:1611
NAICS: 237310/ Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 05/12/2007
Emphasis: S:Hwy Street Bridge Constr
Case Closed: 04/16/2009
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101773604 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $7,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $7,000 |
| Current Penalty | $3,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,500 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19260020 B01 | 10/12/2007 | 10/17/2007 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $0 | 11/02/2007 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260021 B02 | 10/12/2007 | 10/24/2007 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $0 | 11/02/2007 | J - ALJ Decision | Citation has been deleted. |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 3:45 PM on April 18, 2007, Employee #1 had accessed a hopper barge to release a cable that had been used to support the barge on the starboard side. The barge, a Flexifloat, is a modular system consisting of two 10 ft by 40 ft sections side by side with another 10 ft by 20 ft section attached at the end. The total size was 20 ft by 50 ft. The hopper section consisted of 1-in. plate steel. The plates were welded vertically to the deck and the side plates were welded at an angle with steel I beams for support to deflect material to the center. The plates were approximately 8 ft high. The barge was used to catch construction debris from a bridge that was being demolished. After Employee #1 released the cable, a coworker who was operating a tug boat, put the boat at notch one in reverse to back the barge out from under the bridge. After moving approximately 2 ft the barge listed to starboard approximately 6 to12 inches. It then rolled back to port the same distance, then back to even keel. It then rolled back to port and capsized both vessels. As the vessels were rolling to the port side, Employee #1 jumped into the water and started to swim away. The coworker, at almost the same time, jumped from the pilot house and swam away. As the barge capsized, Employee #1 was caught in the hopper section trapping him under the barge and he drowned.
Keywords: BARGE, ASPHYXIATED, JUMP ON MOVING EQUIP, CAUGHT BY, CAUGHT BETWEEN, DROWN, BOAT, OVERTURN
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 310896915 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Sailors and deckhands |