PANAMA CITY, FL – In September 2022, a devastating accident occurred aboard the vessel M/V Weserborg in Panama City. A 28-year-old employee lost his life when thousands of pounds of shifting cargo crushed him within the ship’s cargo hold. Federal workplace safety inspectors have concluded that the employee’s employer, Premier Bulk Stevedoring LLC, neglected to follow required safety standards, which could have prevented this tragic incident.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Their findings revealed that a three-person team employed by Premier Bulk Stevedoring, a marine cargo contractor based in Mobile, Alabama, was hoisting large rolls of paper onto the vessel when the incident took place. The crane operator, who was responsible for lifting and moving the 7-foot-high rolls of paper, was unable to maintain a clear line of sight with the employees in the hold below. This lack of visibility contributed to the fatal accident when the ship pitched, and the two-ton load crushed the young worker against the vessel’s wall.
OSHA has cited Premier Bulk Stevedoring for one repeat violation and two serious violations. The repeat violation stems from the company’s failure to ensure the crane operator could see the signalman guiding the load movement. In December 2020, OSHA had previously cited the company for a similar violation involving a lack of line of sight between a crane operator and a worker guiding the driver.
In addition to the repeat violation, OSHA cited Premier Bulk Stevedoring for two serious violations. The company did not ensure that cargo-handling supervisors completed a course in accident prevention, leading to a lapse in safety precautions. As a result of these violations, OSHA has proposed $43,750 in penalties.
OSHA Area Office Director Jose Gonzalez in Mobile, Alabama, expressed his disappointment in the company’s failure to adhere to established safety procedures, stating, “Less than two years ago, OSHA cited Premier Bulk Stevedoring for unsafe loading operations and our investigation into this tragic September 2022 fatality found the company again operating in a dangerous manner. Their failure to follow established safety procedures caused a young worker to needlessly lose their life.”
Premier Bulk Stevedoring has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To prevent future incidents, OSHA encourages employers to visit their website for information on developing a workplace safety and health program. Employers can also contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.
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