The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The state Department of Labor and Industries has fined Wahkiakum County $8,000 for violations of workplace safety rules.

Wahkiakum County officials on Tuesday said they would appeal the fines.

An L&I inspector issued citations September 22, 2011, after making inspections at the Puget Island Ferry landing and county road department shops. Eight of the violations had been corrected as of February 22.

The citations included:

1. A ferry worker was observed working outside guardrails during mooring maneuvers while not wearing a required personal flotation device; a $3,600 penalty. The violation was corrected during the inspection.

2. The top of the guardrail on the loading ramp measured 32 inches, not the required 42 inches, an $800 penalty.

3. Life ladders aren't installed on docks and floats at the ferry landing according to code, a $2,400 penalty.

4. A life ring isn't positioned on ferry dock as required, an $800 violation.

5. A maximum safe load limit sign is not conspicuously posted on the ferry dock as required. No penalty was assessed.

6. A sign stating the load limit for the storage loft above the office and break room in the county shop hasn't been posted. No penalty was assessed.

7. At the time of the inspection, the county hadn't certified in writing that a hazard assessment for personal protective equipment had been conducted. No penalty was assessed.

8. At the time of the inspection, there were no records to indicate that portable fire extinguishers had been subjected to a monthly visual inspection. No penalty was assessed.

9. Data about three injuries was incorrectly classified in the employer's OSHA 300 Log, a $100 penalty.

10-12. The county didn't ensure that OSHA 300A Annual Summaries for calendar years 2008-2010 were prepared, certified and posted as required, a $200 penalty.

County officials said they would appeal penalties.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen said Tuesday he thinks that the L&I inspector was applying rules incorrectly. The ferry loading ramp is classified as a bridge, not a dock. He added that following the inspector's comments, crew now wear personal flotation devices.

Similarly, Ringen felt the citations for ladders and a life ring should be dropped; however, crews have added ladders to the pontoon and a life ring to the ramp to be prudent.

The county contends that the 42-inch guardrail standard is incorrect because the ramp is classified as a bridge, not a dock, and the citation and fine should be dropped. Also, neither the Federal Highway Administration or Washington State Department of Transportation require load limit posting for bridges, so the weight sign requirement should be dropped.

Public Works has posted a load limit sign on the loft, and the personal protective equipment assessments will be completed as required.

Commissioner Lisa Marsyla said she would contact the L&I office to discuss the penalties and the jurisdiction issue.