Contractor’s Safety Lapses Blamed in Diver’s Death at Manns Harbor Worksite

A fatal incident involving a 47-year-old commercial diver at the Manns Harbor Bridge in North Carolina has been attributed to safety failures by Maryland-based contractor Coastal Gunite Construction Co., according to findings by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The June 2024 tragedy occurred during the diver’s first day on the job while conducting an underwater dive test.

The diver became unresponsive seconds after descending to a depth of 19 feet. Co-workers attempted to resuscitate the diver using CPR while awaiting emergency services, but the efforts were unsuccessful. OSHA’s investigation revealed the company failed to perform critical pre-employment evaluations to assess the diver’s fitness for the physically demanding work.

The investigation also identified other safety deficiencies. Coastal Gunite did not ensure the presence of adequate first-aid equipment, such as a manual resuscitator, at the site. Additionally, the air intake system was improperly positioned, raising contamination risks, and the company failed to conduct necessary air purity tests and annual pressure tests on air hoses, compromising the safety of diving operations.

OSHA has issued citations for four serious violations and proposed the maximum penalty of $40,329. Coastal Gunite now has 15 business days to comply, request a conference with OSHA officials, or contest the citations. The company, which specializes in structural shotcrete services for a variety of sectors, employs divers for infrastructure construction and maintenance projects.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety compliance in high-risk industries like commercial diving, emphasizing the importance of rigorous protocols to prevent avoidable tragedies.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

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