Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Fines are reduced if a company agrees to prove compliance, have a written plan of compliance and be inspected for a number of years. I remember three years in this case.

[quote="Mike"]I'd like to know how Fraser was fined 1.4 million dollars and paid only $ 700,00 ? next time I get a speeding ticket for $ 100 -- I think I'll only pay $ 50 ![/quote]

Its is very common for OSHA fines to be very substantially reduced.
I'm not sure why but it seems to be the norm.

I'd like to know how Fraser was fined 1.4 million dollars and paid only $ 700,00 ? next time I get a speeding ticket for $ 100 -- I think I'll only pay $ 50 !

Here is some info for anyone with high lead level in your blood.
This was used in 1940's when workers were exposed to various heavy metals (lead, mercury, etc.), know as chelation-therapy or E.D.T.A. treatment.Check this out.

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/wellness-therapies/chelation-therapy/

No, I'm not surprised by anything in this day and age. I do sympathize with the workers 100% if it turns out they weren't equipped or trained to do their jobs safely. That I see happen all too often in this cut-throat, money-pinching economy. Appreciate the enlightenment.

[quote="Wheelsman"]I can't help but wonder: were any precautions taken from the get-go such as filtered breathing masks or anything? Figured in this day and age, it's rare to go willy-nilly into a hazardous working environment without something. Seems it all began with hardhats...and rightfully so. I would like to hear what was going on from the start before I blame Fraser for lack of enforcement of safety rules. If there are any rules, were the workers in compliance while on the job? I'm open to an education here.[/quote]

With respect to what you are offering here, you said you are "open to an education." Please understand, I'm not trying to be a jerk or a know-it-all. I'm just offering what I see in the real world, and what I'm sharing is not directed at you personally.

Companies all over the place ask workers to work in environments that compromise their employees. Whether that is hazardous materials they have to deal with, or putting them in hazardous situations.

The company I work for recognizes my physical limitations and doesn't ask me climb ladders or work on roofs, even though that is a requirement of my job. Yet I am still "expected" to climb ladders to replace security lighting at heights of close to 20 feet, I am still required to clean gutters at levels of close 24 feet. And I'm expected to to that without a helper/spotter... And I'm expected to to do that alone, which is an OSHA violation. I'm still required to chip and sand paint that is 40+ years old. No safety equipment offered. Oh, and the company gave me training on this and how we are supposed to do containment, but they don't offer that, nor do the offer or are willing to pay for the containment materials or particular masks to help us.

So long answer.... Companies all over the place run rough-shod on rules/regs as long as they can get away with that. Did Fraser do that? I'm not going to sit here and judge them since I don't have all the details. I'm just saying companies do this all the time, including the company I work for, and so don't be surprised if it happens elsewhere.

I can't help but wonder: were any precautions taken from the get-go such as filtered breathing masks or anything? Figured in this day and age, it's rare to go willy-nilly into a hazardous working environment without something. Seems it all began with hardhats....and rightfully so. I would like to hear what was going on from the start before I blame Fraser for lack of enforcement of safety rules. If there are any rules, were the workers in compliance while on the job? I'm open to an education here.

There was talk a few weeks ago that Fraser might be sold.
The parent company got out of the excavation/ road building business a year or so ago but they have moved into the crane business and some other businesses.

Maybe this would be a nice time for them to sell Fraser and dump some liability problems.

[quote="Emmet"]Fraser Shipyards has persistent problems with EPA and OSHA compliance. I'm not a tree hugger by any stretch, but it's high time a severe crackdown happen. I would imagine the lawsuits against Fraser Shipyards put it's future in grave doubt. Maybe that's a good thing since they seem highly dismissive of worker health and safety, and environmental protection.[/quote]
Closing Fraser will just add more unemployment where it is definitely not needed. My Father, Uncle & I all went to work in places (including Lake ships) where we knew hazardous exposure to lead & asbestos were high. Why? A living wage & good benefits.
Ask the Fraser workers -- Unemployment, or continued work at a plant which now follows OSHA guidelines?

Fraser Shipyards has persistent problems with EPA and OSHA compliance. I'm not a tree hugger by any stretch, but it's high time a severe crackdown happen. I would imagine the lawsuits against Fraser Shipyards put it's future in grave doubt. Maybe that's a good thing since they seem highly dismissive of worker health and safety, and environmental protection.

[quote="Guest"]Sad that the Fraser workers tested positive, but what about all of us that have sailed on these same ships? Years of living onboard with the asbestos and lead paints that crack and break up in minute amounts as the ship works in weather. I have wondered what will happen to the sailors exposed and living in these conditions. Stay tuned..[/quote]

Talk to your doctor or local public health official. Get tested to see if you currently have elevated levels of lead.

[quote]Could Fraser and/or Jackson owners have some trouble on their hands because of this?[/quote]

The study results just released were from the joint Wisconsin/Minnesota state government study, and they mirror results that the federal OSHA released about 6 months ago. The federal OSHA recommended Fraser be fined $1.4 million for willful violations. In a settlement, Fraser agreed to pay $700,000, and to start a new safety management plan that includes input from the union and OSHA.

And there is at least one worker- initiated lawsuit that has been initiated against Fraser, Northern Engineering and Interlake.

My opinion: It is more the vaporization of lead paint through cutting torches and welding. I have been a hobby printer and book maker for most of my life and I've found out that the danger that I've survived was due to smoking with lead covered fingers. It seems that vapor rather than particles are the danger. This is an unfortunate artifact of dealing with past practices that aren't considered these days because we don't have the source to begin with. I'm healthy despite what I did and those exposed will be cleansed and recover. That's my personal experience and opinion of what happened.

Sad that the Fraser workers tested positive, but what about all of us that have sailed on these same ships? Years of living onboard with the asbestos and lead paints that crack and break up in minute amounts as the ship works in weather. I have wondered what will happen to the sailors exposed and living in these conditions. Stay tuned...

The article implied 170 workers had elevated lead levels (73% of 233 workers).

That is surprising to me. I would think the shipyard would have strong procedures to limit lead exposure since the older ships are well known to have leaded paint. During the 70's the ships used a LOT of leaded paint. The red primer was called "Red Lead". Deckhands both chipped the old leaded paint and applied new leaded paint, mostly outside but sometimes inside for areas like the anchor chain boxes.

I just read a news report that 200+ workers at Fraser in Superior tested positive for blood lead poisoning as a result of working on the Herbert C. Jackson project and suffering lead exposure. It was just released, and it'll be an interesting story to watch as to how it plays out. Could Fraser and/or Jackson owners have some trouble on their hands because of this?