OSHA cites Composite Rigging for 18 alleged ‘serious’ violations

PROVIDENCE – Composite Rigging Ltd. and Co., manufacturer of carbon fiber sailboat rigging, has been cited for 18 alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupations Safety and Health Administration said on Monday.

The company faces a total of $54,400 in proposed fines. OSHA considers a “serious violation” when there is substantial probability that death or seriously physical harm could result from a hazard which the employer knew – or should have known- about, OSHA said.

OSHA’s inspection followed the death of a worker on March 15 at Composite’s North Kingstown facility. It found that two employees were performing work on a rigging cable that had been placed in a test bed and tensioned; a sling holding the cable in place failed causing the cable to strike the workers, one fatally.

“Proper guarding would have kept these workers from being struck,” said Patrick Griffin, OSHA’s Rhode Island area director. “I call upon Rhode Island employers using similar equipment to examine it, and if necessary, take preventive measures so that similar incidents with tragic consequences do not happen again.”

- Advertisement -

Composite has 15 business days to comply, meet with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings, OSHA said.

No posts to display