OSHA fines management company in fatal Catskill crane accident

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Zac Marina Management, LLC is facing fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following an investigation into a fatal crane accident in March. The company faces eight "serious" violations, four totaling $38,484 in fines.

On March 25, as workers were clearing brush and trees from the Catskill Marina, a crane cable became connected to the overhead powerlines, electrifying the cable and the hook at the end of the crane, which worker Branden Luciano, 36, of Germantown, was holding. Luciano was electrocuted and the crane caught fire.

On March 26, OSHA opened a safety investigation into the accident and Zac Marina Management, Luciano's employer and the crane owner. On September 24, OSHA cited the company; Two "serious" violations received the maximum penalty of $16,131.

According to the report from OSHA, Luciano was not qualified to operate the crane. "The employee was not qualified to perform duties including, but not limited to knowing weights of the loads being lifted, limitations of the lifting devices, defects in lifting devices, and safe crane operation practices," the report states.

The report also states that when work began near the powerlines, the powerlines were not de-energized, and protective measures were not provided when work began. The report also found the employees were not protected from falling and that the employer did not inspect the crane before use.

Zac Marina Management contested each fine on October 21, according to OSHA. The case, however, has remained open.