United States of America 

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION 

1120 20th Street, N.W., Ninth Floor 

Washington, DC 20036-3457 

SECRETARY OF LABOR,

Complainant,

v. OSHRC Docket No. 14-0816

MANSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY,

Respondent.

APPEARANCES: 

Ashley A. Briefel, Attorney; Heather R. Phillips, Counsel for Appellate Litigation; Ann 

Roesenthal, Associate Solicitor of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health; Nicholas C. Geale, 

Acting Solicitor of Labor; U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 

 For the Complainant 

Aaron K. Owada, Esq., AMS Law PC, Lacey, WA 

 For the Respondent 

ORDER

On December 1, 2016, Administrative Law Judge Peggy S. Ball issued a Decision and 

Order in this case affirming Items 4b, 5a, and 6 of the citation. The judge’s decision was 

directed for review on January 11, 2017, and a Briefing Notice was subsequently issued on 

February 2, 2017. The Briefing Notice requested that the parties brief certain issues solely 

related to Item 6, which alleged a serious violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(k)(3). See Bay 

State Refining Co., 15 BNA OSHC 1471, 1476 (No. 88-1731, 1992) (“While the Commission 

has authority to consider any issues raised in a case directed for review . . . the Commission at 

the same time has discretion to limit the scope of its review.”). 

On April 26, 2017, the Secretary notified the Commission by letter of his decision to 

withdraw Item 6. This withdrawal resolves the only item selected for review. See Cuyahoga 

Valley Ry. Co. v. United Transp. Union, 474 U.S. 3 (1985) (holding that the Secretary’s 
2

discretion to withdraw citation is unreviewable). Therefore, we set aside the judge’s Decision 

and Order to the extent that it is inconsistent with the Secretary’s notice of withdrawal and 

accord the remainder of her decision the status of an unreviewed judge’s decision. Allstate 

Services Ltd., 23 BNA OSHC 1052, 1053 (No. 09-0035, 2010). 

 

SO ORDERED. 

/s/ 

Heather L. MacDougall 

Acting Chairman 

/s/ 

 Cynthia L. Attwood 

Dated: April 27, 2017 Commissioner 

 
1

222United States of America 

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

1120 20th Street, N.W., Ninth Floor 

Washington, DC 20036-3457

SECRETARY OF LABOR,

Complainant,

v. OSHRC Docket No. 14-0816 

MANSON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, 

 

Respondent.

DECISION AND ORDER 

This proceeding is before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (the 

Commission) pursuant to section 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 

U.S.C. § 651 et seq. (the OSH Act). Following a complaint regarding workers engaged in unsafe 

practices, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) commenced an inspection 

of Manson Construction Company’s (Manson’s) worksite at the Vashon Island Ferry Terminal 

near Seattle, Washington on February 13, 2014. (Stip. 1, 2, 5; Ex. C-3.) As a result of this 

inspection, Manson was issued a Citation and Notification of Penalty (Citation) that included 

twelve serious violations, some of which were grouped together. (Sec’y Br. at 2.) 

Respondent filed a timely notice of contest, bringing this matter before the Commission. 

Prior to trial, the Secretary withdrew Items 1, 2b, 3, 4c, 5b, and 5c. (Tr. 9-10.) A trial was held 

on the remaining items (2a, 2c, 4a, 4b, 5a, and 6) from July 14 to 17, 2015 in Seattle, 

Washington. (Tr. 10.) Afterwards, both parties filed post-trial briefs. For reasons set forth 
2

below, Items 2a, 2c, and 4a of the Citation are vacated and Items 4b, 5a, and 6 of the Citation are 

affirmed, with penalties assessed as indicated below. 

I. JURISDICTION 

Section 10(c) of the Act confers jurisdiction over this action upon the Commission. The 

parties have stipulated and the record establishes that at all times relevant to this action, 

Respondent was an employer engaged in a business and industry affecting interstate commerce 

within the meaning of section 3(5) of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 652(5). (Stip. 4, 12.) 

II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 

On February 13, 2014, Robert Scott, an OSHA Compliance Officer (CO), commenced an 

investigation of Manson’s worksite at the Vashon Island Ferry Terminal. (Stip. 2, 5.) During his 

site visit, he witnessed three workers wrapping what appeared to be steel cable around the pilings 

of an offshore marine structure used by ferry boats. (Stip. 6; Tr. 33-34, 36, 42, 45, 515.) The 

marine structure CO Scott observed is called a “dolphin” and it is a “group of timber and PVC 

pilings lashed together and standing generally upright several hundred yards offshore from the 

ferry terminal and to which a ferry can be moored.” (Stip. 3.) 

Employees conducted the work, described as re-lashing the dolphin, mainly from a cranesuspended personnel platform that Manson refers to as a jilly lift. (Stip. 6-9; Ex. C-5; Tr. 103, 

515.) The crane suspending the jilly lift was floated out to the vicinity of the dolphin on a 

derrick barge. (Tr. 171.) The jilly lift did not have guardrails, handrails, or toe boards around all 

four sides. (Stip. 11; Ex. C-5; Tr. 666.) At the jilly lift’s base there were two slots into which a 

wooden plank up to ten inches wide could be inserted or extended outward. (Tr. 52, 286, 411.) 

Manson referred to these planks as “jitter boards.” (Tr. 45.) CO Scott observed at least one 

worker using the jilly lift to transfer to and from top of the dolphin. (Tr. 45; Ex. C-5.) He also 
3

saw an employee sit, stand, and kneel on top of the dolphin to conduct lashing work. (Stip. 9; 

Ex. C-5.) None of the workers were using fall protection at any point. (Stip. 10; Ex. C-5.) The 

workers on the jilly lift and the one on the dolphin were, however, wearing personal flotation 

devices. (Tr. 622, 669.) 

OSHA conducted a second site inspection on March 17, 2014. (Tr. 51.) At that time, the 

work on the dolphin had been completed but CO Scott and another CO, Edward DeLach, were 

able to more closely view the jilly lift which had been used on February 13, 2014. (Tr. 51-52.) 

III. DISCUSSION 

A. Applicable Law 

All of the alleged violations arise under the construction standards contained in 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926. An employer must comply with these standards if its employees are “engaged in 

construction work,” an activity defined as “work for construction, alteration, and/or repair, 

including painting and decorating.” 29 C.F.R. § 1910.12. The re-lashing of the dolphin fits 

within the standard’s definition of construction and Respondent admits that it was engaged in 

construction work.1 

For the Secretary to establish a violation of any OSHA construction standard, he must 

prove that: (1) the cited standard applies; (2) the terms of the standard were violated; (3) one or 

more employees had access to the cited condition; and (4) the employer knew, or with the 

exercise of reasonable diligence could have known, of the violative condition. Astra Pharm. 

Prods., 9 BNA OSHC 2126, 2129 (No. 78-6247, 1981), aff'd in relevant part, 681 F.2d 69 (1st 

 

1

 Respondent did not challenge in its Answer the allegation in the Complaint that it was a 

business engaged in commercial construction. (Compl. ¶ II.) Therefore, this fact is deemed 

admitted. 29 C.F.R. § 2200.34(b)(2). 
4

Cir. 1982). The Secretary has the burden of proving each of these elements by a preponderance 

of the evidence. Id. 

All of the standards alleged to have been violated are mandatory safety standards 

promulgated pursuant to section 5(a)(2) of the OSH Act (29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(2)). Because their 

requirements must be adhered to whenever a worker encounters the specified condition, the 

Secretary is not required to prove that noncompliance creates a hazard. See e.g., Austin Bridge 

Co., 7 BNA OSHC 1761, 1765-66 (No. 76-93, 1979); Research-Cottrell, Inc., 9 BNA OSHC 

1489, 1497 (No. 11756, 1981). Each of the cited standards also provides specific ways for the 

employer to eliminate the hazard, so the Secretary did not need to demonstrate feasibility of 

compliance. See e.g., Modern Continental/Obayashi v. OSHRC, 196 F.3d 274, 282 (1st Cir. 

1999) (Secretary did not have to show that fall protection standard was feasible as applied); 

Faultless Div., Bliss & Laughlin Indus., Inc. v. Sec’y of Labor, 674 F.2d 1177, 1189 (7th Cir. 

1982) (Secretary did not have to show feasibility of machine guarding required by a standard 

promulgated pursuant to section 5(a)(2)); Long Beach Container Terminal, Inc., 811 F.2d 477, 

479 (9th Cir. 1987) (employer had the burden to prove compliance was not possible).

Respondent raises two affirmative defenses—infeasibility and greater hazard—for which 

it bears the burden of proof. To establish infeasibility, Respondent must show that: (1) literal 

compliance with the terms of the cited standard was infeasible, and (2) an alternative protective 

measure was used or there was no feasible alternative measure. See e.g., Otis Elevator Co., 24 

BNA OSHC 1081, 1087 (No. 09-1278, 2013). The greater hazard defense requires Respondent 

to prove: (1) compliance with the hazard is more hazardous than noncompliance; (2) alternative 

means of protection are unavailable; and (3) either a variance has been sought and denied or a 
5

variance application would be inappropriate. Dole v. Williams Enters., 876 F.2d 186, 188 (D.C. 

Cir. 1989); True Drilling Co. v. Donovan, 703 F.2d 1087, 1090 (9th Cir. 1983). 

B. Violations of Subpart L of the Scaffold Standard – Items 2a, 2c, and 4a

1. Items 2a and 2c – Violations of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(b)(2) and (c)(2)(iii) 

– Width of Scaffold Platforms and unstable objects used as working platforms 

 In these citation items, the Secretary alleges that the jitter boards, which could be 

extended out from the base of the jilly lift, were scaffold platforms that failed to comply with 

scaffold safety standards. The cited standard defines “scaffold” as “any temporary elevated 

platform ... used for supporting employees or materials or both,” and specifies that a “platform” 

is “a work surface elevated above lower levels.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.450(a). It requires that “each 

scaffold platform and walkway shall be at least 18 inches (46 cm) wide” and precludes 

“[u]nstable objects” from being used “as a work platform.” 29 C.F.R. §§ 1926.451(b)(2), 

1926.451(c)(2)(iii). These standards are found in Subpart L (Scaffolds), which specifically 

exempts derrick or crane suspended personnel platforms from its purview. 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.450(a) (Subpart L “does not apply to crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms”). 

See also Cranes and Derricks in Construction, 75 FR 47906, 47919 (Aug. 9, 2010) (in the section 

discussing the amendments to Subpart L, OSHA specified that “[p]ersonnel platforms suspended 

by cranes or derricks are now regulated by § 1926.1431”). The parties dispute whether this 

exemption applies to either the jilly lift or the jitterboards. 

a) Jilly Lift 

 The jilly lift was suspended by a crane and was not attached to a building or other 

permanent structure. (Tr. 113, 171.) Accordingly, Respondent asserts it falls squarely within the 

exemption to the scaffold standard for personnel platforms suspended by a crane. (Resp’t Br. at 

17.) The Secretary appears to agree with Respondent that the jilly lift was a crane suspended 
6

personnel platform in that, in connection with Item 5a, he alleges that the jilly lift did not comply 

with the requirements for such equipment. However, the Secretary attempts to evade the 

scaffold standard’s exclusion of crane suspended personnel platforms by arguing that the 

exception applies only to properly constructed equipment. (Sec’y Br. at n.12.) Following this 

rationale, if a crane suspended platform did not comply with Subpart CC (the Crane and Derrick 

Standard) it would then be considered a scaffold subject to Subpart L. 

The Court does not find support in either the language of the applicable standards or 

known legal authority for the Secretary’s argument that if a crane suspended platform does not 

comply with Subpart CC (the Crane and Derrick standard) then, by default, it becomes a scaffold 

subject to Subpart L. See Crown Pacific v. OSHRC, 197 F.3d 1036, 1040 (9th Cir. 1999) (if the 

standard is not ambiguous and plain meaning is contrary to the Secretary’s interpretation 

deference is not appropriate). The cited standard expressly carves out crane suspended personnel 

platforms for separate regulation, presumably because of safety factors unique to hoisted 

personnel. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.450(a) (stating that it does not apply to “crane or derrick suspended 

personnel platforms”). Rather than being dependent upon whether the equipment is compliant, 

the exception hinges upon the nature of the equipment, i.e., whether it is or is not a crane or 

derrick suspended personnel platform. 29 C.F.R. §§ 1926.450(a), 1926.1431. And on that 

question there does not appear to be a valid dispute—the jilly lift was connected to a crane and 

Manson was using it to hoist personnel. (Stip. 9; Tr. 171.) Accordingly, the Court finds the jilly 

lift was a crane suspended personnel platform, not a scaffold subject to the cited standard. 

b) Jitter Boards 

 The Secretary also asks the Court to find the jitter boards were a separate and distinct 

piece of equipment that needed to comply with the scaffold standard’s requirement for scaffold 
7

platforms to be at least 18 inches wide and stable. (Sec’y Br. at 8-9.) Respondent counters that 

the jitter boards are part of a crane suspended personnel platform and therefore are exempt from 

the cited scaffold standard. (Resp’t Br. at 17.) 

The record does not sufficiently support the Secretary’s approach. The jitter boards were 

not free-floating or connected to any other structure, but were attached to and held in place by 

equipment suspended by a crane. (Tr. 113, 656-57.) Although the jitter boards were not 

connected directly to the crane, they were only in the air and available for use when the crane 

was hoisting the jilly lift. Id. In essence, the jitter boards served as an extension of the jilly lift, 

which Manson specifically designed to accommodate them. (Tr. 478, 710.) Employees could 

not use the jitter boards as working platforms except when they were anchored to the jilly lift, 

which, as discussed above, was a crane suspended personnel platform. (Tr. 113, 656-57.) Dale 

Cavanaugh, a retired OSHA Assistant Regional Administrator, testified that the jitter board 

“would be a scaffold in any other application.” (Tr. 364.) That may well be an accurate 

assessment but the issue before this Court is whether the scaffold standard applies to the jitter 

boards as the Respondent was using them. On this question, for the reasons discussed above, 

there is insufficient evidence to support the view that the jitter boards are not an integral part of a 

crane suspended personnel platform. 

Complainant has not established a legal or factual basis for the Court to ignore the 

exclusion of suspended personnel platforms in the cited standard as to either the jilly lift or the 

jitter boards.2

 Therefore the Court vacates Items 2a and 2c. 

 

2

 Since the cited standards do not apply, the Court does not further address the remaining 

requirements to establish violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(b)(2) and (c)(2)(iii). 
8

2. Item 4a – Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) – Failure to 

Provide Fall Protection to the Workers on the Jitter Board 

As with Items 2a and 2c, the Secretary also argues in connection with Item 4a that the 

jitter boards are a scaffold to which the scaffold fall protection requirements found in 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.451(g)(1)(vi) apply. (Sec’y Br. at 14.) This standard requires employees to be protected 

by a personal fall arrest system or a guardrail system when they are on a scaffold more than 10 

feet above a lower level. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.451(g)(1)(vii). There is no dispute that there were no 

safety nets or guardrails and the workers were not wearing personal fall arrest systems. (Ex. C-5, 

C-6; Stip. 10; Resp’t Br. at 5.) The dispositive issue is whether the jitter boards are part of a 

crane suspended personnel platform and therefore exempt from the cited standard under 29 

C.F.R. § 1926.450(a). On that question, consistently with the findings above, the Court 

concludes the Secretary failed to establish the applicability of the cited standard. The jitter 

boards are an extension of the jilly lift and could only be used in conjunction with it. (Tr. 113, 

478, 656-57, 710.) Accordingly, the entire piece of equipment is a crane suspended platform 

exempt from the cited standard under 29 C.F.R. § 1926.450(a). As the Secretary has not 

established applicability, the Court vacates Item 4a. 

C. Item 4b – Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1) – Failure to Provide Fall 

Protection to the Worker on top of the Dolphin 

Whenever a worker is on a walking or working surface six feet above a lower level to 

which he can fall, he must be protected from falling by “the use of guardrail systems, safety net 

systems, or personal fall arrest systems.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1). The standard broadly 

defines “lower levels” to include, among other things, “water, equipment, structures and the 

ground.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(b) (emphasis added). The employee observed on top of the 

dolphin was not wearing fall protection and was working approximately twenty-four feet above 

the water’s surface. (Tr. 856; Stip. 10; Ex. C-6.) 
9

As a preliminary matter, the parties dispute the scope of the Secretary’s burden of proof. 

(Sec’y Br. at 7; Resp’t Br. at 19.) Respondent asserts that the cited standard is performance 

oriented and, as such, the Secretary must establish a fall would have presented a hazard to the 

employee who fell, and that the employer recognized the hazard. (Resp’t Br. at 19.) According 

to Respondent, the Secretary did not meet this burden because any fall from the dolphin would 

have resulted in the employee landing in open water as opposed to a hard surface; and the 

Secretary failed to establish that falling into open water was a hazard, let alone a hazard the 

employer recognized. Id. at 18-19. The Secretary disputes Respondent’s characterization of the 

cited standard as being performance oriented and argues instead that it is a specification standard 

for which the existence of a hazard is presumed. (Sec’y Br. at 7-8.) He also disputes 

Respondent’s allegation that there was no hazard. Id. at 12. 

In making its argument that the Secretary had to prove the presence of a hazard, 

Respondent attempts to apply a single Ninth Circuit case, Greyhound-Lines-West v. Marshall,

575 F.2d 759 (9th Cir. 1978), concerning an entirely different standard related to personal 

protective equipment (Subpart E), to the fall protection standards found in Subpart M at issue 

here. (Resp’t Br. at 19.) Performance standards, like the one concerning an employer’s 

obligation to identify appropriate personal protective equipment at issue in Greyhound Lines, are 

broadly written and “require an employer to identify the hazards peculiar to its own workplace 

and determine the steps necessary to abate them.” Thomas Indus. Coatings, Inc., 21 BNA OSHC 

2283, 2287 (No. 97-1073, 2007). Performance standards only require action on the part of the 

employer if there is a hazard. Id. Thus, the Commission has concluded that the Secretary must 

show a hazard before an employer is found to have been in violation of such standards. Id. In 

contrast, specification standards detail the precise equipment, materials, and work processes 
10

required to eliminate hazards. Cleveland Wrecking Co., 24 BNA OSHC 1103, 1106 (No. 07-

0437, 2013) (concluding that the fall protection requirements found in 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(c) 

constitute a specification standard). This detail specifying abatement methods distinguishes a 

specification standard from a performance standard. For specification standards, a hazard is 

presumed. Id. The fact that a standard requires the use of personal protective equipment does 

not mean it is a performance standard. Rather, the determining issue is whether the standard 

contains the method by which the hazard is to be abated. See Ace Sheeting & Repair Co. v. 

OSHRC, 555 F.2d 439, 441(5th Cir. 1977) (employer had the duty to show compliance with 

guarding standard was not feasible). If it does, then the burden of proof is on the employer to 

demonstrate that the remedies contained in the standard are not feasible under the particular 

circumstances. Cleveland Wrecking, 24 BNA OSHC at 1106. 

The Commission has consistently treated the standards found in Subpart M-Fall 

Protection as specification standards for which the Secretary’s prima facie burden is limited to 

showing applicability, violation of the standard, employee exposure, and knowledge. See e.g., 

Modern, 196 F.3d at 282 (Secretary did not have the burden to show fall protection standard was 

feasible as applied); Brennan v. OSHRC, 513 F.2d 10232, 1035 (2d Cir. 1975) (same); Fabi 

Constr. Co., Inc., 370 F.3d 29, 38 (D.C. Cir. 2004) (fall protection standard treated as 

specification standard); Nuprecon LP, 23 BNA OSHC 1817, 1818 n.3 (No. 08-1037, 2012) 

(violation of the fall protection standard, 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1), treated as a specification 

standard); MJP Constr. Co., Inc., 19 BNA OSHC 1638, 1642 n.6 (No. 98-0502, 2001) (same). 

In Cleveland Wrecking, the Commission determined that even though the fall protection standard 

at issue in that case permits some discretion on the part of the employer, that discretion does not 

turn the standard into a performance standard and thus require an expanded burden of proof. 24 
11

BNA OSHC at 1106 (discussing 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(c)). See also Marion Power Shovel Co., 

Inc. ̧ 8 BNA OSHC 2244, 2246 (No. 76-4114, 1980) (concluding that 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.252(e)(1)(i) is a specific duty standard despite the various alternative methods of 

compliance permitted). 

Just like the fall protection violation standard at issue in Cleveland Wrecking, the cited 

standard here requires fall protection whenever the walking/working surface with an unprotected 

side or edge is six feet or more above a lower level, but permits the employer to choose one of 

three specified methods. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1); Safety Standards for Fall Protection in the 

Construction Industry: Final Rule, 59 Fed. Reg. 40672, 40680-40682 (1994) (preamble to the fall 

protection standards); Nuprecon, 23 BNA OSHC at 1820. Although the standard at issue here 

has some flexibility, it limits the employer’s choice to one of three specified methods and 

employers lack discretion to not provide fall protection. Id. The Court finds that 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.501(b)(1) is not a performance standard, and therefore the Secretary was not required to 

establish hazard recognition and proof of industry custom as Respondent alleges. See e.g. A.E. 

Burgess Leather Co. v. OSHRC, 576 F.2d 948, 950-51 (5th Cir. 1978) (declining to require proof 

of hazard recognition and industry custom in connection with a violation of a machine guarding 

standard that permitted various types of compliance). Instead, the Secretary’s prima facie case 

required a showing of applicability, violation of the standard, employee exposure, and 

knowledge. Atlantic Battery Co., 16 BNA OSHC 2131, 2138 (No. 90-1747, 1994). 

a) Applicability 

As noted above, the cited standard requires fall protection for anyone working six feet or 

more above a lower level and this requirement does not vary because the lower level is water, the 

ground, or a structure. 29 C.F.R. §§ 1926.500(b) (definition of lower level), 1926.501(b)(1). In 
12

addition to the standard’s plain language, two OSHA interpretation letters bolster the Secretary’s 

position. (Exs. C-16 & C-17.) These letters emphasize that fall protection is required for 

employees working over water, either on a scaffold platform or otherwise. Id. OSHA’s Letter of 

Interpretation dated February 9, 2004, emphasizes that the “lower level” referred to in 

§ 1926.501 could be water. (Ex. C-16 at 2.) The letter also notes that the provision of life 

jackets is in addition to the fall protection requirements, not in lieu of them. Id. An earlier 

OSHA Letter of Interpretation, dated September 28, 1999, also emphasized that employers must 

provide fall protection, not just life jackets, when the distance from the working platform to the 

water surface exceeds six feet. (Ex. C-17 at 1.) Indeed, even Respondent appeared to recognize 

that the fall protection standards do not make a distinction between falling onto land and falling 

into water. (Resp’t Br. at 4; Tr. 440-41, 448.) Therefore, the Court finds that the cited standard 

applied. See Armstrong Steel Erectors, Inc., 17 BNA OSHC 1385 (No. 92-262, 1995) 

(concluding that the fall protection requirements applied even when surface below was water). 

The Court notes that Manson’s Vice President for Equipment, Shawn Hillis, testified that 

the company chose to follow the Army Corps of Engineers’ EM-385 manual, which requires fall 

protection only when working more than 25 feet over water, rather than OSHA’s more stringent 

standards. (Tr. 682-84; Ex. C-26 (excerpt from EM-385 manual).) The EM-385 manual is not 

codified, and as such does not have the force and effect of law. BME & Sons, Inc., 23 BNA 

OSHC 1731, 1735 (No. 10-0248, 2011) (Welsh, J.). Indeed, Manson’s Director of Safety 

acknowledged that EM-385 was something the Army Corps put together for contractors and that 

it applied to the workers on the jilly lift, but did not cover the worker on the dolphin. (Tr. 427, 

487.) So it is not even clear whether Manson thought the EM-385 exception to fall protection 

requirements for work over water applied to the worker on the dolphin. (Tr. 487.) Further, even 
13

if Manson thought the EM-385 manual’s fall protection requirements applied to the worker on 

the dolphin, the manual itself indicates that when more stringent requirements are set out in 29 

C.F.R. § 1926, those requirements take precedence over what is set forth in EM-385. (Ex. C-26 

at 2.) Thus, in order to follow EM-385, Manson still needed to comply with the cited standard 

and provide fall protection to the worker on the dolphin. 

b) Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1) 

There is no dispute that the worker on the dolphin was not using fall protection on 

February 13, 2014. (Stip. 10; Ex. C-5; Tr. 855-56.) Respondent argues that if an employee fell, 

it could have lowered the jilly lift to rescue him. (Resp’t Br. at 13; Tr. 672.) It also asserts that 

there is no evidence of debris in the water that could have injured a falling employee and further 

notes that employees were wearing personal flotation devices. (Resp’t Br. at 18; Tr. 432.) 

Even accepting Respondent’s assertions as true does nothing to undermine the 

Secretary’s undisputed evidence that the worker on the dolphin did not have fall protection as 

required.3 (Stip. 10; Ex. C-5.) Respondent’s arguments, at best, go to the violation’s gravity. 

The purpose of the OSH Act is to prevent accidents. See generally Mineral Indus. & Heavy 

Constr. Grp. v. OSHRC, 639 F.2d 1289, 1294 (5th Cir. 1981) (“The goal of the Act is to prevent 

the first accident, not to serve as a source of consolation for the first victim or his survivors”). 

Thus, the fact that an employer has taken a required step to reduce injury in the event of an 

accident does not mean that there has been no violation of a mandatory safety standard. Id. 

 

3

 The Court notes that CO Scott and OSHA Area Director Dave Baker testified that an employee 

falling off the top of the dolphin could have struck the dolphin itself, the jitter boards, or the jilly 

lift. (Tr. 70, 179-80.) 
14

c) Exposure to the Violative Condition 

“Exposure to a violative condition may be established either by showing actual exposure 

or showing access to the hazard was reasonably predictable.” Phoenix Roofing Inc., 17 BNA 

OSHC 1076, 1079 (No. 90-2148, 1995). Exhibit C-6 depicts the employee working atop dolphin 

without fall protection. (Tr. 541.) That employee, Anthony Barr, admitted that he could have hit 

either the water or the bottom part of the dolphin if he had fallen off the structure. (Tr. 541, 

615.) This is sufficient to show actual exposure to the violative condition. 

d) Respondent Knew, or Should Have Known of the Violative 

Conditions 

The worker on top of the dolphin was a supervisor and another supervisor was within a 

few feet of him on the jilly lift. (Ex. C-6 at 2-3; Tr. 46, 55. 497-98.) See Hamilton Fixture, 16 

BNA OSHC 1073, 1089 (No. 88–1720, 1993) (an employer is chargeable with knowledge of 

conditions which are plainly visible to its supervisory personnel), aff'd without published 

opinion, 28 F.3d 1213 (6th Cir.1994); Minnotte Contracting & Erection Corp., 6 BNA OSHC 

1369, 1371-72 (No. 15919, 1978) (employees working without tied-off safety belts were in plain 

view and within sight of a foreman). CO Scott witnessed and videotaped the worker on top of 

the dolphin from a public road. (Tr. 36, 38.) The lack of fall protection was open, obvious, and 

in plain view. Ted Wilkerson, Inc., 9 BNA OSHC 2012, 2016 (No. 13390, 1981) (a leadman 

“would have been in a position to observe” the employee in the hazardous situation); Am. 

Airlines, Inc., 17 BNA OSHC 1552, 1555 (No. 93-1817, 1996) (consolidated) (finding 

knowledge when conditions were in plain view and supervisory personnel were present). This is 

sufficient to establish Respondent’s knowledge of the violative condition. 
15

2. Affirmative Defenses 

a) Infeasibility Defense 

An employer arguing that compliance with a standard was infeasible must show that: (1) 

literal compliance with the terms of the cited standard was infeasible, and (2) an alternative 

protective measure was used or there was no feasible alternative measure. Rockwell Int’l Corp., 

17 BNA OSHC 1801, 1807 (No. 93-54, 1996) (consol.); Avcon Inc., et al., 23 BNA OSHC 1440, 

1454 (No. 98-0755, 2011) (consol.); E&R Erectors, Inc. v. Sec’y of Labor, 107 F.3d 157, 163 (3d 

Cir. 1997) (“[t]he burden of establishing an affirmative defense is on the employer, and every 

element must be established”). It is not enough to show that compliance is difficult, expensive, 

or would require changes to operations. See Long Beach, 811 F.2d at 479 (a workable method of 

abatement defeated defense); Hughes Bros., Inc., 6 BNA OSHC 1830, 1835 (No. 12523, 1978) 

(difficulty of compliance was not sufficient to defeat citation); Gregory & Cook Inc., 17 BNA 

OSHC 1189, 1190-92 (No. 92-1891, 1995) (guarding was technologically and economically 

feasible). 

In terms of the first element of the defense, feasibility of compliance, as discussed above, 

the cited standard required employees to be protected by “a guardrail system, safety net system, 

or personal fall arrest system.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1). (Tr. 139.) Manson only discusses

why it believes that a personal fall arrest system would have been infeasible.4

 (Tr. 768.) See 

Dun-Par Engineered Form Co., 13 BNA OSHC 2147, 2149 (No. 79-2553, 1989) (requiring 

proof as to why each fall protection method permitted by the standard was not feasible). 

According to Manson, personal fall arrest systems were infeasible because there was no suitable 

 

4 Manson did offer testimony suggesting that the safety nets would create a greater hazard. That 

claim is discussed in the following section. 
16

anchor point for such a system. (Resp’t Br. at 20-21.) In addition, Bradley Dillon, of Guardian 

Fall Protection, gave expert testimony that it would not be possible for a worker to remain in fall 

restraint at all times because of the dolphin’s shape. (Tr. 782.) 

Mr. Barr, the Manson supervisor who was on top of the dolphin, testified that the pilings 

which make up the dolphin were in such poor condition at the top that he would not have used 

them for an anchor point on top of the dolphin. (Tr. 552.) Despite this assertion, Mr. Barr 

acknowledged that he had not examined the steel plate at the top of the dolphin. (Tr. 552, 589-

90, 601.) Nor did Manson’s safety director (Moore) or its fall protection expert (Dillon) examine 

the steel plate or the rest of the dolphin before the decision not to use fall protection was made. 

(Tr. 449, 787) The steel plate was 3/4 of an inch thick and had a shackle used to hold ferries in 

place at night.5 (Tr. 372; Ex. C-11 (schematic of dolphin).) Brian Endres, who was employed by 

the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT), testified that he had no reason to 

believe that the steel plate and shackle were not firmly welded to the dolphin. (Tr. 848.) He 

indicated that when DOT employees work on the dolphins, they use fall protection. (Tr. 857-

58.) Former OSHA Assistant Regional Administrator Cavanaugh also testified as to his belief 

that the steel plate and shackle could have been used as an anchor point. (Tr. 375, 880, 901.) 

Indeed, the shackles on the dolphins were used to moor 400-ton ferries. (Tr. 850.) Further, 

Manson did not explain why, if the steel plate had not been firmly in place, it could not have 

been welded sufficiently to make it a suitable anchor point. (Tr. 499.) All of these 

considerations undermine Manson’s contention that there were no means available to anchor a 

 

5

 Manson notes that the video showing the shackle was taken a year after the alleged violations. 

(Ex. C-9; Resp’t Br. at 21.) It presented no evidence that the passage of time resulted in changed 

conditions at the top of the dolphin or that the shackle had been adequately evaluated before the 

citation was issued. Although Mr. Barr did not recall seeing the shackle, he made no assertion 

about the steel plate itself. 
17

fall restraint system. See So. Pan Servs., Co., 21 BNA OSHC 1274, 1278 (No. 99-0933, 2005) 

(requiring site specific evaluation of the availability of fall protection for leading edge work). 

Manson also argues that there was not enough room on the top of the dolphin to use a fall 

arrest system. (Resp’t Br. at 21.) Mr. Dillon testified that a 22 feet minimum fall clearance is 

required for a worker wearing a full body harness with an anchor point at foot level. (Tr. 856.) 

He noted that OSHA would calculate a lower minimum (nineteen feet). (Tr. 764.) Still, he 

opined that 22 feet was required if the calculation was made according to the assumptions set out 

in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) voluntary consensus standard. Id. 

Regardless of whether the fall clearance is calculated consistently with the OSHA 

methodology or the ANSI standard, the Court finds that Manson failed to show there was 

insufficient room for a fall arrest system. At the trial, Manson’s counsel represented to witnesses 

that the dolphin was twenty feet above the water, but all of the witnesses described the height as 

one to five feet greater than that. 6 (Tr. 57, 669, 757, 856, 810.) CO Scott estimated the height to 

be “roughly” twenty-one feet. (Tr. 57.) Mr. Endres of the DOT calculated the dolphin’s height 

to be approximately twenty-four feet above the surface of the water. (Tr. 855-56.) His estimate 

is consistent with that of Mr. Hillis, Manson’s Vice President of Equipment, who indicated that 

the dolphin was about twenty-five feet high, and the schematic of the dolphin, which indicates a 

total height of twenty-eight feet. (Tr. 668-69; Ex. C-11.) Thus, Manson’s counsel’s unsupported 

representation that the person on top of the dolphin was twenty feet above the water is rejected. 

Since Mr. Dillion’s opinion about whether there was sufficient height for a fall arrest system was 

based on counsel’s unsupported representation of height, it is given less weight. It is unclear if 

 

6

 In its brief, Manson also states, without citation to the record, that the height of the dolphin was 

twenty feet above the water level. (Resp’t Br. at 21.) 
18

he would have had the same opinion had he been told that the height of the dolphin was more 

than twenty-one feet high. Considering the discrepancies, the Court finds that it does not have 

sufficient information to conclude that the dolphin was not high enough to permit appropriate fall 

protection. 

Finally, Manson argues that a fall restraint system would not be feasible because of the 

dolphin’s irregular shape. (Resp’t Br. at 21.) However, Manson never explained why the 

irregular shape rendered all fall restraint systems infeasible. Some fall restraint systems prevent 

a worker from getting close enough to the edge to fall, while others permit workers to move 

about more, because they have a longer reach, but lock in the event of a fall. (Tr. 370.) 29 

C.F.R. § 1926.500 (defining personal fall arrest system and self-retracting lifeline/lanyard). Mr. 

Barr conceded that a self-retracting lanyard would have prevented him from falling very far and 

former Assistant Regional Administrator Cavanaugh indicated that such a system could be 

feasible. (Tr. 601-2, 901-2.) Mr. Dillion asserted that he was not aware of a self-retracting 

lanyard certified to be appropriate for use with an anchor point at foot level that was available at 

the time of the inspection. (Tr. 455-56.) He appeared to acknowledge that such systems were 

available—indeed they have been defined in 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501 since it first became a final 

rule in 1994. (Tr. 455.) However, he asserted that he was not aware of a system that had been 

“certified” for use with an anchor point at foot level. Id. He was not asked, and did not explain, 

whether he was referring to an OSHA certification or one to be provided by a manufacturer. (Tr. 

454-56.) Nor did he indicate when certified systems became available. Id. Finally, he limited 

his opinion solely to his awareness of self-retracting systems with an anchor point at a worker’s 

feet. (Tr. 455.) He did not address systems with anchor points at a higher point and Respondent 
19

offered no clarification in its brief.7 In contrast, Mr. Cavanaugh indicated that the anchor point 

did not need to be at the worker’s feet because Manson could have welded a pole to the steel 

plate at the top of the dolphin. (Tr. 901.) 

Even accepting that a certified self-retracting lanyard with an anchor point at foot level 

was not available, Respondent did establish why it could not have implemented a guardrail or 

safety net system. (Tr. 779, 781-3.) Area Director Baker indicated that a guardrail system could 

have been used and Respondent does not refute such assertion. (Tr. 244.) Because this is an 

affirmative defense, Manson had the burden to show compliance was infeasible, and its failure to 

offer sufficient evidence on why each of the standard’s specified systems was infeasible defeats 

the defense. See Altor, Inc., 23 BNA OSHC 1458, 1470 (No. 99-0958, 2011) (rejecting 

infeasibility defense in connection with a fall protection violation); MJP, 19 BNA OSHC at 1643 

(rejecting feasibility defense in connection with violations of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)). 

Finally, even if Manson had shown that literal compliance was infeasible, it failed to 

satisfy the second element of its burden—that an alternative protective measure was used or 

there was no feasible alternative measure. See MJP, 19 BNA OSHC at 1642. Manson did not 

employ any method of fall protection for the worker on top of the dolphin. When an employer 

cannot fully comply with the literal terms of a standard, it must nevertheless comply to the extent 

feasible. See Walker Towing Corp., 14 BNA OSHC 2072, 2075 (No. 87-1359, 1991) (finding 

that limited guardrails may have been feasible and that therefore the defense was not 

established). There is no evidence that Manson considered the feasibility of fall protection at the 

 

7

 Mr. Cavanaugh acknowledged that he did not know for certain if there was a self-retracting 

lanyard available that complied with the OSHA six foot fall limitation and three and half feet of 

deceleration requirement at the time of the inspection but indicated that he would be surprised if 

that was the case. (Tr. 903.) 
20

worksite, prior to the inspection, let alone implemented any alternative measures. See So. Pan,

21 BNA OSHC at 1278 (requiring a site specific analysis of the need for fall protection); MJP,

19 BNA OSHC at 1642 (rejecting defense when employer failed to establish that alternative 

means of protection were being used or were unavailable). Thus, as Manson failed to 

demonstrate either the infeasibility of implementing any one of the methods of fall protection 

specified in the standard or the informed absence of other steps which could have been taken, its 

affirmative defense of infeasibility is rejected. 

b) Greater Hazard 

To the extent that Respondent intended to raise the greater hazard defense, the Court 

notes that this defense requires the employer to prove each of the following elements: (1) 

compliance with the hazard is more hazardous than noncompliance; (2) alternative means of 

protection are unavailable; and (3) either a variance has been sought and denied or a variance 

application would be inappropriate. Dole, 876 F.2d at 188; True Drilling, 703 F.2d at 1090. 

As discussed above, the cited standard permits the use of safety nets, fall arrest systems,

or guardrails as methods of fall protection. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1). While Manson offered 

evidence about whether safety nets and personal fall arrest systems would present a greater 

hazard, it did not present evidence on whether the use of guardrails would have created a greater 

hazard. (Tr. 555, 729.) See State Sheet Metal Co., 16 BNA OSHC 1155, 1159 (No. 90-1620, 

1993) (consol.). Manson also has not applied for a variance or explained why doing so would be 

inappropriate. See Spancrete Ne., Inc., 15 BNA OSHC 1020, 1022-23 (No. 86-521, 1991) (“We 

need not inquire whether [the employer] has proved the first two elements of the defense, 

because it is clear that the company has introduced no evidence on the third”); Loomis Cabinet 

Co. v. OSHRC, 20 F.3d 938, 943 (9th Cir. 1994) (greater hazard defense cannot be raised without 
21

the employer “first exhausting the procedures for obtaining a variance”); Altor, 23 BNA OSHC 

at 1470 (rejecting greater hazard defense in connection with a fall protection violation when 

there was no explanation for not seeking a variance). Instead of rejecting the defense on the 

basis of this failure, the Court discusses remaining requirements. 

Concerning the first element of the defense, Paul Huber, a professional engineer and 

manager at Manson, gave expert testimony concerning the suitability of safety nets as fall 

protection. (Tr. 728.) He indicated that it would be safer to fall into open water where there are 

no obstructions rather than into a safety net. (Tr. 729.) His opinion was limited to situations 

where a person would encounter no obstructions in the fall. Id. 

However, Manson did not establish that a person falling from the dolphin would not 

encounter any obstructions. First, the dolphin tilted at an angle such that an employee falling off 

the top could strike the base, which was wider than the top. (Tr. 56, 70, 179-80, 641; Ex. C-11.) 

Second, even though the video does not appear to show debris near the base of the dolphin when 

the photograph was taken, Area Director Baker and CO DeLach both testified that debris was 

frequently present in the water of Puget Sound. (Tr. 170, 236-37, 263-64.) Third, a person 

falling off the dolphin could strike the jilly lift. (Ex. C-6; Tr. 175.) Besides the possibility of 

obstructions, the Secretary also presented evidence that falling into open water was a serious 

hazard. (Tr. 174, 265.) Thus, the Court finds that Manson did not establish that using a safety 

net would have created a greater hazard than providing no fall protection. 

Manson also argues that it could not use the personal fall arrest systems permitted by the 

standard, because doing so would have introduced a tripping hazard. (Tr. 555, 557.) That 

possibility is insufficient to excuse noncompliance with the cited standard. See Forest Park 

Roofing Co., 8 BNA OSHC 1181, 1185 (No. 76-1844, 1980) (noting that safety lines could 
22

create a trip hazard but finding that insufficient to establish greater hazard defense for a violation 

of the fall protection requirements found in 29 C.F.R. § 1926.28(a)); J.W. Conway, Inc., 7 BNA 

OSHC 1718, 1719 (No. 15942, 1979) (rejecting the argument that the possibility of a trip hazard 

rendered fall protection infeasible). As former OSHA Assistant Regional Administrator 

Cavanaugh testified, crews can be trained to avoid the trip hazard when the anchor is at floor 

level. (Tr. 880.) Further, as discussed above, although Mr. Barr indicated that an anchor point at 

the level of his feet would have created a trip hazard, neither he nor any other witness established 

that this risk was greater than the risk associated from noncompliance.8 (Tr. 720.) Mr. Barr 

acknowledged that a self-retracting lanyard system attached to an anchor would have limited his 

fall. (Tr. 555, 601-2.) The fact that compliance may create a different hazard is not sufficient to 

establish the defense. See Marion, 8 BNA OSHC at 2248; Forest, 8 BNA OSHC at 1185. 

In any event, even if Manson had shown that compliance with the standard would be 

more hazardous than noncompliance, Manson failed to establish the other elements of the 

defense—that alternative means of protection were unavailable and that it either sought a 

variance or that a variance application would be inappropriate. As for the availability of 

alternative means of protection, while Manson offered testimony as to why safety nets could not 

be used, it did not establish that there was not any type of personal fall arrest system that could 

have been implemented. (Tr. 729.) It did not explain why a guardrail system could not have 

been implemented. See State Sheet, 16 BNA OSHC at 1159 (“[b]efore an employer elects to 

ignore the requirements of a standard because it believes that compliance creates a greater 

 

8

 For example, Mr. Huber, one of Manson’s engineers who gave expert testimony, indicated that 

an anchor point at the level of someone’s feet was “not as desirable” as one higher up. (Tr. 720.) 

He did not indicate that it presented a greater hazard than no fall protection at all. 
23

hazard, the employer must explore all possible alternatives and is not limited to those methods of 

protection listed in the standard”). 

Finally, as to the third element of the defense, Manson never sought a variance for any of 

its work practices, including those related to fall protection. (Tr. 451.) In its brief, Respondent 

argues that it was justified in not seeking a variance due to time constraints it was under to make 

repairs. (Resp’t Br. at 22-23.) Even if this Court were to assume that the need to perform the 

work quickly could excuse a failure to apply for a variance, the Court finds that Manson did not 

establish that it did not have time to seek a variance from the requirement to have fall protection 

when employees worked from the top of dolphins. Manson regularly performed work at the 

ferry terminal and employees had re-lashed dolphins before. (Tr. 428.) While it may have been 

that on the first occasion of performing such work applying for the variance would have been 

difficult, Manson could have done so after the fact, knowing that it would be called on again to 

perform similar tasks. “The variance requirement is very much a part of an employer’s burden 

of the affirmative defense of greater hazard.” Spancrete, 15 BNA OSHC at 1023. The Court 

finds that Manson failed to establish any of the elements of the affirmative defense of greater 

hazard and thus rejects the defense. 

3. Characterization and Penalty 

Manson claims that falling into the water from the dolphin could not result in death or 

serious physical injury. (Resp’t Br. at 18-19.) The Secretary disputes this, arguing that the 

dolphin tilted at an angle and so a worker might not fall directly into the water and asserts that 

even a direct fall into the water could result in serious injuries or death. (Sec’y Br. at 12-13, 20; 

Tr. 70, 174,179-80, 287, 367.) 

A violation is classified as serious under section 17(k) of the Act if “there is substantial 

probability that death or serious physical harm could result” if an accident occurred. 29 U.S.C. 
24

§ 666(k); Compass Envtl., Inc., 23 BNA OSHC 1132, 1136 (No. 06-1036, 2010), aff'd, 663 F.3d 

1164 (10th Cir. 2011). Substantial probability “refers not to the probability that an accident will 

occur but to the probability that, an accident having occurred, death or serious injury could 

result.” Illinois Power Co. v. OSHRC, 632 F.2d 25, 28 (7th Cir. 1980). If the harm the standard 

was intended to prevent is “death or serious injury, a violation of the regulation is serious per 

se.” Phelps Dodge Corp., v. OSHRC, 775 F.2d 1237, 1240 (9th Cir. 1984). 

The Secretary offered evidence about injuries from a fall and the risk of inhalation if a 

worker tumbled into water from a trip or fall. (Tr. 262, 287.) CO Scott explained that a worker 

falling from the dolphin could strike the jilly lift or the dolphin itself on his way down and this 

could result in serious injury.9 (Tr. 70-71.) In addition, a person falling into the water could 

strike debris.10 (Tr. 263-64, 298, 366.) CO DeLach agreed with CO Scott’s assessment of the 

seriousness of this item. (Tr. 177, 265.) He elaborated that the injuries could be serious and 

permanent and even result in death. (Tr. 175, 179.) Further, the average temperature of water 

near the Vashon Island ferry terminal in February is 46 degrees Fahrenheit. (Ex. 30 (temperature 

table); Tr. 298.) As CO DeLach explained, a person falling into cold water such as this has a 

tendency to inhale due to the shock of the cold water. (Tr. 262.) This can lead to drowning. Id. 

Former Assistant Regional Administrator Cavanaugh also testified that because the fall would be 

into water, drowning was a possibility. (Tr. 174, 407.) The Court finds the violation is properly 

classified as a serious citation. See Boh Bros. Constr., Co., 24 BNA OSHC 1067, 1075 (No. 09-

 

9 Raleigh Mederios, a service representative for United Brotherhood of Carpenters who worked 

for Manson on various occasions, also acknowledged falling from the dolphin could be 

hazardous. (Tr. 825). 

10 The Court notes that there is no testimony about debris being present on the date alleged in the 

citation. (Tr. 236-37, 631.) 
25

1072, 2013) (affirming judge’s determination that exposure to water related hazards such as 

drowning was serious); Peavey Co., 16 BNA OSHC 2022 (No. 89-2836, 1994) (affirming a 

violation for a lack of fall protection on rail cars as serious). In the event of an accident from the 

violation, there was a substantial probability of serious injuries.

The OSH Act imposes a penalty of up to $7,000 for a serious violation.11 29 C.F.R. 

§ 666(b). As the final arbiter of penalties, the Commission must give due consideration to the 

gravity of the violation and to the employer’s size, history, and good faith. J.A. Jones Constr. 

Co., 15 BNA OSHC 2201, 2213-14 (No. 87-2059, 1993). These factors are not necessarily 

accorded equal weight, and gravity is generally the most important factor. Trinity Indus., Inc., 

15 BNA OSHC 1481, 1483 (No. 88-2691, 1992). Gravity depends upon such matters as the 

number of employees exposed, duration of exposure, precautions taken against injury, and the 

likelihood that an injury would result. J.A. Jones, 15 BNA OSHC at 2213-14. 

Evaluating the gravity of the violation, the Court finds that although the injury from a fall 

could have been minor, it also could have been catastrophic. (Tr. 71, 177, 179, 262.) CO Scott 

indicated that he saw one employee working without fall protection from the top of the dolphin. 

(Tr. 70.) The employee was working on the edge of the dolphin, increasing the risk that a fall 

would bring him over the edge. (Tr. 179.) Manson did take some precautions, by providing 

personal flotation devices and a lifesaving skiff, which could potentially reduce the harm caused 

by a fall. (Tr. 177.) However, these precautions did not lessen the likelihood of a fall. (Tr. 177-

 

11 The Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, Pub. Law 114-74 § 701, 129 Stat. 559-602 (2015) 

granted OSHA the ability to increase the statutory minimum and maximum penalties for 

violations of the OSH Act. OSHA has exercised this authority but the revised penalties apply 

only to violations occurring after November 2, 2015. 81 Fed. Reg. 43430 (July 1, 2016); 29 

C.F.R. § 1903.15(d). All of the violations in the instant matter occurred prior to November 2, 

2015, so the statutory maximum applicable here is $7,000. 29 U.S.C. § 666. 
26

79.) Manson is a large employer with over 250 employees. (Tr. 176.) It has been cited for a 

serious violation within the past five years. (Tr. 176, 179, 237.) As for good faith, although 

Manson had some safety policies, it did not fully comply with them for this project. The 

Secretary initially proposed a $6,000 combined penalty for Citation 1, Items 4a, b and c. (Tr. 

12.) As noted above the Secretary withdrew Citation 1, Item 4c and the Court vacated Citation 

1, Item 4a. The Court reduces the penalty commensurately with the reduction of citation items. 

Having considered all of the penalty factors, the Court finds that a penalty of $3,500 is an 

appropriate penalty amount for Citation 1, Item 4b.

D. Item 5a – Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(b)(1) – Guarding of personnel 

platform 

The cited standard, found in Subpart CC, Cranes and Derricks in Construction, requires 

that platforms used to hoist employees must comply with specified guarding requirements.12 29 

C.F.R. § 1926.1431(b)(1). The Secretary alleges that the jilly lift used by Manson employees is 

a personnel platform within the meaning of the cited standard and that it was not equipped with a 

guardrail system as required. (Sec’y Br. at 18-19; Stip. 8.) Respondent does not appear to 

dispute the merits of this citation item, but does assert the affirmative defenses of infeasibility 

and greater hazard. (Resp’t Br. at 23.) It also argues that if its defenses are rejected, the 

violation should not be characterized as serious. Id. at 18-19, 23. 

1. Secretary’s prima facie case- applicability, violation, exposure and 

knowledge 

The jilly lift was suspended from a derrick-mounted crane and used to hoist employees 

from the derrick’s deck to the dolphin. (Tr. 71; Stip. 7.) According to CO Scott, this means it 

 

12 Specifically, the standard states: “[w]hen using equipment to hoist employees, the employee 

must be in a personnel platform that meets the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section.” 29 

C.F.R. § 1926.1431(b)(1). 
27

was a “personnel platform,” within the meaning of the standard. (Tr. 46, 71.) Manson’s 

engineer appeared to agree with this assessment when he indicated that he had consulted the 

requirements for personal lifting systems found in ASME B-30.23 and the OSHA standards for 

personnel platforms when designing the jilly lift. (Tr. 706-7.) The Court concurs and concludes 

that the jilly lift was a personnel platform being used to hoist personnel and therefore it needed to 

comply with the cited standard’s guarding requirements. 

Specifically, the cited standard requires personnel platforms to be equipped with a 

guardrail system that meets the requirements of Subpart M (Fall Protection). 29 C.F.R. 

§§ 1926.1431(b)(1), 1926.1431(e). Under Subpart M, the personnel platform needs a guardrail 

system, safety net, or personal fall arrest system when employees are six feet or more above a 

lower level.13

 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(1). It is undisputed that no safety net was being used and 

that employees were not wearing a personal fall arrest system. (Stip. 10, 11; Ex. C-5.) Without 

such protections, the jilly lift needed to have guardrails around all four sides. (Tr. 148.) 

However, the guardrail system only went around three sides. (Ex. C-5; Stip. 11; Tr. 72.) The 

fourth side was open, with neither a grab rail nor a toe board. Id. Therefore, the Court agrees 

that the jilly lift did not comply with the requirements of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(b)(1). 

Relevant to employee exposure to the cited condition, CO Scott observed three 

employees on the jilly lift with the unguarded side. (Exs. C-5, C-6; Tr. 36, 186.) Although a 

chain could have been attached to the open side, Manson’s foreman indicated that no one 

engaged the chain when the workers were being hoisted to the dolphin on February 13, 2014. 

(Tr. 605.) This evidence is not contested, and the Court concludes that the Secretary established 

 

13 The jilly lift was more than six feet above the surface of the water. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.500(b) 

(definition of lower level). (Ex. C-5; Tr. 58, 667.) 
28

exposure to the violative condition. See Phoenix Roofing, 17 BNA OSHC at 1079 (actual 

exposure to unguarded skylight established exposure).

Finally, in terms of knowledge, the three sided jilly lift was being used in the open by at 

least two supervisors. (Ex. C-6.) As noted above, the foreman was aware that one side of the 

jilly lift was completely open. (Tr. 604-5.) Manson’s Vice President for Equipment (Hillis) was 

also aware that the jilly had an open side. (Tr. 666.) He acknowledged that he was aware that 

the jilly lift was being used even though its guardrail system only protected three sides. (Tr. 667-

8.) In addition, there is no dispute that CO Scott witnessed and videotaped the violative 

condition from a public road. (Tr. 37-38.) Accordingly, the Court finds that Respondent knew 

of the violative condition. See Hamilton Fixture, 16 BNA OSHC at 1089; Ted Wilkerson, 9 

BNA OSHC at 2016; Am. Airlines, 17 BNA OSHC at 1555. 

2. Affirmative Defenses 

a) Infeasibility

As discussed above, to establish the affirmative defense of infeasibility, an employer 

must show: (1) literal compliance with the terms of the cited standard was infeasible, and (2) an 

alternative protective measure was used or there was no feasible alternative measure. Otis, 24 

BNA OSHC at 1087. Respondent argues that in order to perform the lashing work it was 

necessary for the jilly lift to have an open side because of the amount of force it takes to drive the 

staples into the dolphin. (Resp’t Br. at 23.) As for the second element of the burden, 

Respondent alleges that alternative protective measures could not have been implemented 

because they would create pinching and/or ergonomic hazards. Id. The Secretary responds by 

arguing that Respondent failed to show either infeasibility or that there were no feasible 

alternative measures of fall protection that could have been implemented. Id. at 28. 
29

With respect to whether literal compliance with the standard was possible, Mr. Huber, the 

professional engineer who designed the jilly lift, acknowledged that it was possible to install a 

fourth guardrail. (Tr. 739-40.) Likewise, Mr. Barr acknowledged that they could weld almost 

anything onto the jilly lift. (Tr. 612.) Mr. Huber also admitted that Manson had enough money 

to build a jilly lift that would protect workers in a manner consistent with OSHA standards. (Tr. 

741-42.) 

Respondent does not dispute this evidence showing it was technically possible for the 

jilly lift to comply with the standard’s requirements. Instead, it argues that a complete guardrail 

system would have precluded the necessary work from being done. However, Mr. Barr admitted 

that he hammered staples into the dolphin at chest height, which would be sufficiently above the 

level of a guardrail. (Tr. 606.) Although he noted that some workers prefer to hammer at 

different levels, he indicated that this was a matter of personal preference, not work necessity. 

Id. And it appears that at least one other worker also hammered the staples in at chest level, as 

the video shows Greg Stewart hammering staples into the dolphin above the level of where a 

compliant guardrail would have been. (Ex. C-5.) 

Further, even if it was not possible to conduct all of the lashing work with a fourth 

guardrail in place, this only goes to one instance in the use of the jilly lift—when the lashing 

work was being performed. This argument does not shield application of this standard when the 

personnel platform was being used to hoist or move employees rather than for actual lashing 

work. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431; Cranes and Derricks in Construction, 75 FR 47906, 47911 (Aug. 

9, 2010) (§ 1926.1431 “addresses fall protection when employees are being hoisted”). Manson 

offers no explanation as to why it would be infeasible for the jilly lift to have been enclosed 

when it was being used to lift employees to the height of the top of the dolphin or when 
30

employees were being transported to the work site. (Resp’t Br. at 23.) Manson’s engineer 

acknowledged that it would be possible to install a compliant removable guardrail, so the 

workers could at least have been protected during lifting operations even if the rail had to be 

removed occasionally for certain work. (Tr. 739-40.) 

Finally, Manson does not offer evidence of any alternative protection used, or why such 

alternative protection was infeasible during the lifting operation. For example, the jilly lift had a 

stanchion for a chain to go across the side that did not have guardrails. (Tr. 604.) Manson fails 

to explain why this could not have been used while the jilly lift was hoisting employees or during 

other operations. (Tr. 605.) Thus, the Court finds that Respondent failed to establish the defense 

of infeasibility. 

b) Greater Hazard 

As noted above, the greater hazard defense requires the employer to prove that: (1) 

compliance with the hazard is more hazardous than noncompliance; (2) alternative means of 

protection are unavailable; and (3) either a variance has been sought and denied or a variance 

application would be inappropriate. Dole, 876 F.2d at 188; True Drilling, 703 F.2d at 1090. 

 Manson argues that putting up the guardrail during lashing operations would have 

exposed workers to a pinch point and ergonomic hazards. (Resp’t Br. at 23; Tr. 691.) With 

respect to the pinch point, a Manson pile driver testified that the work could still be 

accomplished and the pinch point avoided if the jilly lift was lowered so that the guardrail would 

not be in the line of work. (Tr. 607.) As for the ergonomic hazard, Manson’s Vice President for 

Equipment, Mr. Hillis, testified that lowering the jilly lift to avoid the pinch hazard would create 

an ergonomic hazard. (Tr. 681.) However, Manson never did an ergonomic evaluation of 
31

lashing work conducted from the jilly lift and did not offer other evidence to support this view 

point. Id. 

Further, Manson offers no explanation as to what greater hazard would have been present 

if there had been a guardrail in place during operations other than lashing. The Secretary did not 

target this citation to Respondent’s failure to have a guardrail during lashing, and both of the 

potential alternative hazards suggested by Respondent would occur (if at all) only during such 

work, not lifting or transport operations. (Tr. 681.) Nor does Manson explain why other types of 

fall protection, such as a fall arrest system could not have been used during operations when a 

guardrail presented a hazard.14

 

Finally, Manson acknowledges that it never sought a variance and does not even 

acknowledge that such an application would have been appropriate. (Tr. 451.) Altor, 23 BNA 

OSHC at 1470; Loomis Cabinet, 20 F.3d at 43. Accordingly, Respondent did not meet its burden 

of proof with regard to showing a greater hazard. 

3. Characterization and Penalty 

As discussed above, a violation is classified as serious if “there is substantial probability 

that death or serious physical harm could result” if an accident occurred. 29 U.S.C. § 666(k); 

Compass, 23 BNA OSHC at 1136; Illinois Power, 632 F.2d at 28; Phelps Dodge, 775 F.2d at 

1240. When assessing penalties, the Commission must give due consideration to the gravity of 

the violation and to the employer’s size, history, and good faith. J.A. Jones, 15 BNA OSHC at 

2213-14; Trinity, 15 BNA OSHC at 1483. 

 

14 As noted above, Mr. Dillion questioned the availability of a self-retracting lanyard certified for 

a tie off point at the feet. (Tr. 455.) However, he did not address the use of a self-retracting 

lanyard with a tie off point above the level of a worker’s feet. 
32

Manson’s Vice President for Equipment, Mr. Hillis, acknowledged that employees could 

fall off the open side of the jilly lift. (Tr. 667.) However, Manson claims that such a fall could 

not result in death or serious physical injury. (Resp’t Br. at 18-19.) The Secretary disputes this, 

arguing that the violation was appropriately characterized as serious and warrants the proposed 

penalty of $7,000. (Tr. 12, 71.) 

Four of the Secretary’s witnesses challenged Manson’s assertion that a fall from the jilly 

lift could not result in serious physical harm. CO Scott, CO DeLach, Area Director Baker and 

former Assistant Regional Administrator Cavanaugh all testified that a fall from the jilly lift 

could have resulted in serious physical harm. (Tr. 69, 181, 298, 365.) CO Scott testified that a 

worker falling from the jilly lift could strike the dolphin or hit the water in a way that could 

cause serious injury. (Tr. 65, 69, 72, 75.) CO DeLach noted that the temperature of the water 

created a drowning hazard as a person has a tendency to inhale when exposed to cold water. (Tr. 

262, 298.) The Court finds the violation is properly classified as a serious citation. In the event 

of an accident from the violation, there is a substantial probability of serious injury. 

Three employees were exposed to a fall hazard due to the lack of compliant guarding on 

the jilly lift. (Tr. 186, 298.) Employees could lose their balance and either strike the inside of 

the lift or be ejected from it. (Tr. 186.) While they might fall directly into the water, it was also 

possible that they could hit the dolphin itself, a nearby boat, or debris. (Tr. 298, 367.) An 

employee also could get caught between the jilly lift and the dolphin itself. (Tr. 186.) For the 

same reasons set forth above in connection with the Court’s findings for Item 4(b), the Court 

concludes that Manson is not entitled to penalty reductions for history or size. The Court notes 

the efforts of Manson to address the hazards with the use of PPE, rescue skiffs and the like. 
33

Thus, having considered all of the penalty factors, the Court finds that a penalty of $6,000 is 

appropriate. 

E. Item 6 – Violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(k)(3) – Securing Personnel 

Platforms 

The cited standard requires personnel platforms to be secured to the structure where the 

work is to be performed when employees are entering or exiting the platforms, unless the 

employer can demonstrate that securing to the structure would create a greater hazard.15

 29 

C.F.R. § 1926.1431(k)(3). The Secretary alleges that the jilly lift used by Manson employees is 

a personnel platform within the meaning of this standard and that it was not secured to the 

dolphin when the worker left the top of the dolphin to return to the jilly lift. (Sec’y Br. at 20.) 

Manson disputes the Secretary’s allegation that it did not comply with the standard. (Resp’t Br. 

at 9, 24.) It alleges a process called “over booming”, wherein the crane operator brought the jilly 

lift up against the dolphin and then pushed the suspension point further toward the middle of the 

dolphin, was tantamount to securing the lift to the dolphin and therefore compliant to the cited 

requirement. Id. at 24. It also alleges that the Secretary had the burden of proving specific and 

technologically feasible methods of compliance and failed to do so. Id. Finally, Respondent 

raises the affirmative defense of greater hazard. Id. 

 

15 Specifically, the standard states: 

Before employees exit or enter a hoisted personnel platform that is not landed, the 

platform must be secured to the structure where the work is to be performed, 

unless the employer can demonstrate that securing to the structure would create a 

greater hazard. 

29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(k)(3). 
34

1. Secretary’s prima facie case 

As noted above, Respondent alleges the Secretary had the burden to prove specific and 

technologically feasible methods of compliance. (Resp’t Br. at 24.) However, The Commission 

has long held the burden of proving feasibility does not pertain to violations of section 5(a)(2) of 

the OSH Act such as those alleged in this item. See e.g., Research, 9 BNA OSHC at 1497. 

Other than in connection with personal protective equipment standards, neither the D.C. Circuit 

nor the Ninth Circuit departs from Commission precedent which does not require the Secretary 

to prove feasibility to establish violation of a standard promulgated under section 5(a)(2) of the 

OSH Act.16 See e.g., Long Beach, 811 F.2d at 479; Nat’l Steel & Shipbuilding Co. v. OSHRC, 

607 F.2d 311, 313 (9th Cir. 1979) (not requiring a showing of feasibility in connection with an 

alleged violation of a scaffold standard); A.J. McNulty & Co., 283 F.3d 328, 335 (D.C. Cir. 

2002) (allegation that compliance was impossible or infeasible was an affirmative defense). Nor 

has any other circuit court held that the Secretary must prove feasibility in connection with a 

violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(k)(3). 

Similarly, the Secretary’s prima facie burden is not altered by the fact that 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.1431(k)(3) includes an express reference to the greater hazard defense. The cited 

provision specifically states that platforms “must be secured to the structure where the work is to 

be performed, unless the employer can demonstrate that securing to the structure would create a 

 

16 The D.C. and Ninth Circuits are the two Circuits to which this case could be appealed. Where 

it is highly probable that a Commission decision would be appealed to a particular circuit, the 

Commission has generally applied the precedent of that circuit in deciding the case -- even 

though it may differ from the Commission's precedent. See, e.g., Farrens Tree Surgeons, Inc., 

15 BNA OSHC 1793, 1794-95 (No. 90-998, 1992). The Court notes certain other appellate 

courts diverge from this general rule in narrow circumstances not applicable here. See e.g., Gen. 

Elec. Co. v. OSHRC, 540 F.2d 67, 69-70 (2d Cir. 1976) (concerning certain personal protective 

equipment standards), Diebold, Inc. v. Marshall, 585 F.2d 1327, 1333 (6th Cir. 1978) (vaguely 

worded machine guarding standard). 
35

greater hazard.” 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431(k)(3) (emphasis added). This language is explicitly 

consistent with the usual rule that employers have the burden of establishing that compliance 

with a standard creates a greater hazard than non-compliance. See C.J. Hughes Constr. Inc., 17 

BNA OSHC 1753, 1756 (No. 93-3177, 1996) (noting that a party seeking “the benefit of an 

exception to a legal requirement has the burden of proof to show that it qualifies for the 

exception”); Avcon, 23 BNA OSHC at 1454 (concluding that the employer had the burden to 

show that the exception to fall protection requirements contained in 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(2) 

applied); L&L Painting Co., Inc., 23 BNA OSHC 1986, 1991 (No. 05-0055, 2012) (employer 

had the burden of proving that historical monitoring exception applied); A.J. McNulty, 283 F.3d 

at 225 (concluding that the employer had the burden to show that the feasibility exception 

contained in 29 C.F.R. § 1926.501(b)(2)(i) applied). In Falcon Steel Co., 16 BNA OSHC 1179 

(No. 89-2883, 1993) (consol.), the employer argued that because greater hazard and impossibility 

were integral parts of the fall hazard standard at issue (29 C.F.R. § 1926.550(g)) the Secretary 

should have the burden to prove them. 16 BNA OSHC at 1181. The Commission rejected this 

claim. Id. The Crane and Derrick fall hazard standard at issue in Falcon generally prohibited 

certain conduct unless certain alternatives “would be more hazardous” or “not possible because 

of structural design or worksite conditions.” Id. at 1181 n.3 (discussing 29 C.F.R. § 1926.550, 

which at the time addressed the use of crane or derrick suspended personnel platforms). Even 

though the standard at issue in Falcon did not indicate which party had the burden to prove that 

the exception applied, the Commission concluded that the employer had the burden. Id. at 1181 

citing Dover Elevator Co., 15 BNA OSHC 1378, 1381 (No. 88–2642, 1991). In the present 

matter, the cited standard explicitly places the burden on the employer to show that securing the 

crane suspended platform to the dolphin while the employee was transferring to the platform 
36

would have resulted in a greater hazard than not doing so. 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1431 (k)(3). 

Therefore Manson, not the Secretary, had the burden of proving that securing the personnel 

platform to the dolphin would have created a greater hazard. 

Accordingly, the Court finds that the Secretary’s burden was to establish: (1) 

applicability of the cited standard, (2) that the employer failed to comply with the terms of the 

cited standard, (3) that employees had access to the violative condition; and (4) that Manson 

either knew or could have known with the exercise of reasonable diligence of the violative 

condition. Astra, 9 BNA OSHC at 2129. For the reasons set forth below, the Court finds that he 

has met this burden. 

a) Applicability 

There is no dispute that the jilly lift was offshore and being used to hoist personnel when 

the employee who had been working on the dolphin entered it from the dolphin on February 13, 

2014. (Ex. C-5; Tr. 544, 548.) Respondent does not contest the applicability of the cited 

standard, and, consistently with the discussion above, the Court finds that the jilly lift was a 

crane suspended personnel platform and therefore the requirements set out in Subpart CC, 

Cranes and Derricks in Construction, including the cited provision, applied. 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.1431(k); Cranes and Derricks in Construction, 75 FR 47906, 47911 (Aug. 9, 2010) 

(§ 1926.1431 “addresses fall protection when employees are being hoisted”). 

b) Violation 

As for whether there was a violation, the parties agree that nothing connected the jilly lift 

to the dolphin. (Tr. 72, 184; Ex. C-5.) Respondent alleges that the jilly lift was secured to the 
37

dolphin because it was either over boomed or over swung.17 (Resp’t Br. at 9, 24). The Secretary 

disputes that the crane operator over boomed or over swung the jilly lift and further contends that 

even if he had, doing so was not a compliant method of securing the jilly lift to the dolphin. 

(Sec’y Br. at 21.) 

Raleigh Madeiros, a member of the Carpenter’s Union who had worked for Manson in 

the past, testified as a non-expert witness for Respondent. He acknowledged that the jilly lift 

should be secured when people are entering or exiting it. (Tr. 829, 833.) He explained that one 

method of accomplishing this is for the crane operator to over swing or over boom such that the 

jilly lift is pushed against the dolphin. (Tr. 833.) He acknowledged that there probably are other 

ways to secure the jilly lift during worker transfers as well. (Tr. 829.) He was not shown the 

video of Manson’s worksite and did not offer an opinion as to whether the crane operator had in 

fact secured the jilly lift on the date referenced in the citation (February 13, 2014). 

Mr. Barr, the employee of Manson depicted in the video, testified that on February 13, 

2014 the crane operator over swung the jilly lift into the dolphin.18 (Tr. 544-45.) When asked 

whether the jilly lift moved when he stepped on it, Mr. Barr indicated that to his memory it did 

not move. (Tr. 545.) 

The video contradicts Mr. Barr’s recollection. (Ex. C-5.) In the video, a worker is seen 

stepping down off the dolphin onto the jilly lift, which begins to rock and move as the worker’s 

weight shifts. Id. The jilly lift appears to move away from the dolphin and Mr. Barr is seen 

reaching for a grab bar as the other workers take hold of the wires connecting the jilly lift to the 

 

17 Mr. Barr indicated that over booming and over swinging were two separate crane maneuvers, 

either of which was intended to bring the jilly lift “tight” to the dolphin. (Tr. 522-24.) 

18 Neither the crane operator nor any of the other employees on the jilly lift testified. 
38

crane. Id. Although the jilly lift was close to the dolphin, it was not pushed up against it in a 

stable manner, and movement of the jilly lift was visible. (Ex. C-5; Tr. 73, 184, 386, 421.) Thus 

the evidence supports the Secretary’s position that the jilly lift was not secured to the dolphin or 

any other structure. (Ex. C-5; Tr. 66, 72, 386.) 

Further, even if the Court were to accept Mr. Barr’s testimony that there was no 

movement when his weight transferred to the jilly lift instead of what is seen on the video, 

Respondent could still be in violation. The standard does not include any exception for a 

personnel platform which is momentarily stable during transfer but not connected. 29 C.F.R. 

§ 1926.1431(k)(3). 

Mr. Huber, the Manson engineer who designed the jilly lift, noted that when a rig is on 

the water, there is motion all the time and people cannot rely on water to be smooth and calm. 

(Tr. 705.) Even Mr. Barr recognized the risk of swells, listing it as a risk on his job safety 

analysis form. (Ex. C-22; Tr. 591.) Not only was the platform suspended, but the crane 

suspending the platform was floating on deep water. While bringing the jilly lift close to the 

dolphin may have made it easier for the worker to transfer, this is not the equivalent of securing 

the equipment. See The Duncanson-Harrelson Co., 9 BNA OSHC 1539 (No. 76-1567, 1981) 

(when evaluating a standard addressing cranes on barges, the Commission held that in order to 

be “secured” the crane had to be fastened to the barge). 

The CO also testified that “over-booming” is not an appropriate method of securing 

personnel platforms. (Tr. at 399.) The Court need not resolve whether over-booming, if 

appropriately executed, satisfies the standard since the videographic evidence shows that the 

platform was not secured in a stable manner. (Tr. 399; Ex. C-5.) Accordingly, the Court finds 

that the cited standard was violated. 
39

c) Exposure 

In terms of exposure, CO Scott observed one employee enter the jilly lift when it was not 

secured. (Tr. 73.) The video is consistent with this testimony as it shows one worker 

transferring from the dolphin and two additional workers on the jilly lift itself. (Ex. C-5; Tr. 74.) 

This evidence is not contested and the Court concludes that the Secretary established exposure to 

the violative condition. Phoenix Roofing, 17 BNA OSHC at 1079.

d) Knowledge 

As for knowledge of the violative condition, the worker involved in the transfer was a 

supervisor. (Tr. 514, 544.) He was aware that while a portion of the jilly lift abutted the dolphin, 

it was not otherwise secured to it. (Tr. 544-45.) As a supervisor, his knowledge is imputable to 

Manson. See e.g., Kansas Power & Light Co., 5 BNA OSHC 1202, 1204 (No. 11015, 1977) 

(foreman’s knowledge and approval of conduct is imputed to employer); Hamilton Fixture, 16 

BNA OSHC at 1089. Further, CO Scott witnessed the violative conditions from a public road. 

The unsecured jilly lift was open, obvious, and in plain view. Ted Wilkerson, 9 BNA OSHC at 

2016 (a leadman “would have been in a position to observe” the employee in the hazardous 

situation); Am. Airlines, 17 BNA OSHC at 1555. Therefore, the Secretary established 

Respondent’s knowledge of the violative condition. 

2. Affirmative Defense – Greater Hazard 

As noted above, the greater hazard defense requires the employer to prove that: (1) 

compliance with the hazard is more hazardous than noncompliance; (2) alternative means of 

protection are unavailable; and (3) either a variance has been sought and denied or a variance 

application would be inappropriate. Dole, 876 F.2d at 188; True Drilling, 703 F.2d at 1090. 

Manson argues that securing the jilly lift to the dolphin with rope would create a greater hazard. 
40

(Resp’t Br. at 24.) The Secretary appears to accept Manson’s contention that rigidly connecting 

the jilly lift to the dolphin might be problematic, but suggests several other ways to secure the 

jilly lift and make the transfer safer which the Respondent has not been shown to have 

considered. (Sec’y Br. at 22.) Further, according to the Secretary, even if that were not the case, 

Manson failed to apply for a variance, as required to sustain the defense. Id. at 29. 

Manson’s Vice President for Equipment, Mr. Hillis, testified regarding some of the safety 

concerns encountered when securing an object suspended by a floating crane to a fixed structure. 

(Tr. 686-87.) Another Manson employee, Mr. Huber, indicated that a worker must be careful 

when attaching a floating crane to something that is fixed to the land because tidal forces can 

cause suspension cables to break. (Tr. 703-4.) 

However, Manson’s own policies and procedures required crane suspended personnel 

platforms to be secured to the dolphin and witnesses described ways this could have been done. 

(Tr. 188.) Former Assistant Regional Administrator Cavanaugh explained that the standard does 

not require the jilly lift to be rigidly attached. (Tr. 386, 882.) CO Scott stated that there were 

several possible ways of securing the jilly lift without rigidly attaching it to the dolphin. (Tr. 75.) 

For example, Manson could have landed the lift on the dolphin itself or used cables. Id. Area 

Director Baker also agreed that the jilly lift could have been secured these ways. (Tr. 187-88.) 

Manson does not refute the testimony of these witnesses. Even fully crediting the 

testimony of Mr. Hillis and Mr. Huber that securing the jilly lift with a cable could have created 

a greater hazard, Manson does not explain why landing the jilly lift on top of the dolphin was not 

an available method of compliance. (Tr. 75, 386.) Before an employer elects to ignore the 

requirements of a standard because it believes that compliance creates a greater hazard, the 

employer must explore all possible alternatives and is not limited to those methods of protection 
41

listed in the standard. M. J. Lee Constr. Co., 7 BNA OSHC 1140 (No. 15090, 1979) 

(recognizing that literal compliance would have created a greater hazard but concluding that the 

employer did not make out the defense because it failed to use alternative means of protecting 

employees); Hackensack Steel Corp., 20 BNA OSHC 1387, 1391 (No. 97-0755, 2003) (defense 

fails because employer did not use alternative methods of protection). Manson did not even 

bring the jilly lift level with the top of the dolphin. (Ex. C-6; Tr. 72.) Instead, it required the 

worker to step down onto the jilly lift. Id. The record does not establish Manson fully explored 

alternatives to rigid, albeit temporary, attachment of the dolphin to the jilly lift to facilitate 

worker transfer. Therefore, the court finds that Manson failed to establish the second element of 

the defense. 

Finally, as noted above, Manson never sought a variance for any of its work practices. 

(Tr. 451.) It does explain why seeking one for not securing the jilly lift would have been 

inappropriate. See Altor, 23 BNA OSHC at 1470; Loomis Cabinet, 20 F.3d at 43. The Court 

finds that Respondent did not meet its burden of proof with regard to showing a greater hazard 

and so the affirmative is rejected. 

3. Characterization & Penalty 

Manson does not challenge the characterization as serious or the proposed penalty 

amount. In terms of characterization, CO Scott indicated that the employee accessing the jilly 

lift had exposure to potentially serious injuries, including falling into the water, striking the 

dolphin or hitting the jilly lift. (Tr. 74-75.) Area Director Baker agreed with CO Scott’s 

assessment of the seriousness of the hazard, as did the former Assistant Regional Administrator. 

(Tr. 187, 385-6.) The Court agrees with the characterization of Item 6a as serious. See KS 

Energy Servs., Inc., 22 BNA OSHC 1261, 1268 n.11 (No. 06-1416, 2008) (affirming 

characterization and penalty where neither was in dispute). 
42

Turning to the penalty factors, Area Director Baker testified that severity and probability 

of harm warranted a penalty of $7,000.19 He concluded that injuries from an incident could 

include death. (Tr. 188.) In terms of good faith, Manson had policies and procedures in place 

that required crane suspended personal platforms to be secured to the dolphin, but those policies 

were not followed. Id. The Court notes good faith is more indeterminate as to this citation in 

comparison with the other citations because of the complexity of assessing risks inherent in 

available options. Accordingly, having considered all of the penalty factors, the Court finds that 

a penalty of $4,000 is appropriate. 

ORDER 

 The foregoing Decision constitutes the Court’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law 

in accordance with Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Citation Items 1, 2b, 3, 

4c, 5b, and 5c were withdrawn prior to trial. Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and 

Conclusions of Law, it is ORDERED that: 

1. Citation 1, Items 2a and 2c are VACATED and no penalty is assessed. 

2. Citation 1, Item 4a is VACATED and no penalty is assessed. 

3. Citation 1, Item 4b is AFFIRMED as a Serious violation and a penalty of $3,500 is 

ASSESSED. 

4. Citation 1, Item 5a is AFFIRMED as a Serious violation and a penalty of $6,000 is 

ASSESSED. 

5. Citation 1, Item 6 is AFFIRMED and a penalty of $4,000 is ASSESSED. 

SO ORDERED. 

 

19 As noted above, $7,000 is the maximum possible penalty for this violation. 29 U.S.C. § 666. 
43

 /s/ 

 Peggy S. Ball 

 Judge, OSHRC 

Date: December 12, 2016 

Denver, Colorado