COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Columbia Heights-based Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management, LLC has been fined more than $730,000 after an investigation following the death of one of its employees found multiple violations of training and standards.
What we know
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management, LLC $730,369 for “violations of commercial diving standards.” due to the death of one of their employees in May 2024 while diving to remove aquatic weeds.
An investigation found that employees did not have the necessary experience or training to perform their jobs safely and were not trained in CPR and first aid.
It was also discovered that no staff member was responsible for managing all aspects of the diving operation and that no backup diver was available during the diving operation. Nor has a safe practices manual been developed or maintained.
OSHA only issues intentional safety notices when companies know a hazardous condition exists but fail to make reasonable efforts to correct it.
The process of aquatic weed removal involves physical exertion by pulling, dragging, and carrying weeds and bundles in widely varying water conditions, including fluctuating temperatures, visibility, depths, and currents.
According to the DLI, this is the second worker drowning in Minnesota since June 2022, where employees were using scuba gear while removing aquatic weeds in a lake.
What they say
“Everyone should be able to go to work and come home safely. This was a tragic and avoidable loss,” DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach said in a statement. “It is the responsibility of all employers to comply with health and safety laws and ensure the safety of their employers in the workplace.”
What's next?
Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management has submitted a request for proposals.
The source: A news release from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.