WAYCROSS, GA -- Combustible dust issues are among the 19 safety and health violations lodged against Carolina Skiff LLC by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Carolina Skiff, a manufacturer of fiberglass recreational boats, was fined $95,240 in an OSHA's follow-up inspection to evaluate the abatement of violations found during a 2008 site-specific targeting program inspection.

OSHA issued six repeat citations to Carolina Skiff. Four violations are safety-related, including using compressed air and unapproved electrical equipment in areas where the dust concentrations are high enough to lead to a fire or deflagration hazard; failing to clean up dust accumulations; and a lack of exit signage resulting in emergency escape hazards.

The other two repeat violations are health-related, including failing to train welders regarding hexavalent chromium hazards and not implementing engineering controls to reduce high noise levels.

Among the 10 serious citations OSHA levied against Carolina Skiff include exposing employees to fall hazards; improperly storing and transferring flammable liquids used during spray painting operations; and using compressed air greater than 30 pounds per square inch for cleaning.

According to Carolina Skiff's website, it shapes and forms boats using foam logs that are "hand-laid with a layer of woven roving fiberglass. Resin is applied between each foam log, creating the box-beam stringer. This process allows for a solid, durable, non-flexing hull without the use of wood in any way."

Read more about OSHA's safety citations against Carolina Skiff.

Posted by Rich Christianson