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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Donzi Marine of Southern Manatee more than $26,000 after an investigation revealed unsafe levels of methylene chloride at its boat yard there, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported in a recent story.
OSHA inspectors tested the Donzi facility about a month after the death of one of its employees, Louis Martinez, who was gluing carpet to a luxury yacht in November when he was overcome by fumes, passed out and was later found unconscious. The inspectors found that employees were using adhesives that contained dangerous chemicals, according to the Herald-Tribune.
The newspaper, citing unnamed federal inspectors, wrote that Martinez “was exposed to high levels of toxic fumes and was not given the correct safety equipment to prevent his death.”
OSHA officials said Donzi did not have proper controls in place – such as respirators, chemical warnings or medical screenings for employees – to make sure that workers knew how to protect themselves, the newspaper reported.
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