A boat manufacturer in Pinellas Park is facing substantial penalties after a follow-up inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor revealed ongoing safety violations. Blacktip Boatworks LLC, previously cited for 15 safety and health hazards in July 2023, has been found to have not corrected these issues, according to the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The follow-up inspection in March 2024 showed that Blacktip Boatworks failed to implement a workplace respiratory protection program and procedures for workers using tight-fitting respirators. Additionally, the company did not develop a written hazard communication program or maintain safety data sheets for workers handling hazardous chemicals.

OSHA identified further repeat and serious violations during this inspection. These included inadequate training for workers voluntarily using respirators, lack of periodic inspections on equipment used to lift boats, failure to remove damaged equipment from service, improper electrical interconnection of containers transferring flammable liquids, and failure to provide medical evaluations and fit testing for respirator users.

"Our follow-up inspection found Blacktip Boatworks continuing to expose its employees to potentially disabling and deadly injuries," stated OSHA Area Director Danelle Jindra in Tampa, Florida. "The citations we issue are not recommendations. They are violations of federal law that must be addressed immediately."

As a result of the inspection findings, OSHA has issued Blacktip Boatworks four failure-to-abate citations along with two serious and three repeat violations, totaling $328,287 in penalties.

Blacktip Boatworks LLC designs and builds semi-custom flat, bay, and offshore boats. The company now has 15 business days from receiving the citations and penalties to comply with them or request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.