Employer Fined $730,369 for Safety Violations After Diver’s Death in Apple Valley
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA— The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI's) Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Compliance has announced that they issued significant penalties against a Columbia Heights company following the tragic death of 18-year-old Joe Anderson, a worker who drowned while performing aquatic weed removal at Lac Lavon Lake in Apple Valley, Minnesota in May 2024. Our original story on this incident is here: Young Diver Tragically Loses Life Following Water Incident in Apple Valley.
Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management, LLC, faces $730,369 in fines after Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Compliance identified five willful violations of federal commercial diving safety standards. Anderson, who had recently begun working with the company, was doing a reported test dive before work began to remove lake weeds using scuba equipment when the incident occurred.
Findings of the MNOSHA Investigation
The investigation revealed several critical failures in workplace safety protocols, including:
Lack of sufficient training for employees to perform tasks safely.
Absence of CPR and first-aid training for workers.
No designated individual in charge of managing all aspects of the diving operation.
Failure to develop and maintain a safe-practices manual for diving.
Lack of a standby diver present during the operation.
"Every person should be able to go to work and come home safely. This was a tragic and preventable loss," said DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach. "It's the responsibility of all employers to follow health and safety laws and ensure their employees are safe at work."
Employer’s Response
Your Lake Aquatic Plant Management has contested the fines and is filing a Notice of Contest in response to the penalties.
Wider Implications and Hazards
This is the second worker drowning in Minnesota since June 2022 involving scuba equipment for aquatic weed removal. The nature of the work carries inherent risks, including fluctuating water conditions, physical strain, and exposure to underwater hazards like structures, equipment, and vegetation.
Improving Workplace Safety
To prevent future incidents, MNOSHA emphasizes that employers must comply with Subpart T Commercial Diving Standards (29 CFR 1910), which outline requirements for training, emergency procedures, and safe diving practices. MNOSHA's workplace safety consultation services provide resources for employers to improve safety and health programs.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of workplace safety, particularly in high-risk industries. As investigations continue, state officials hope the findings will drive stronger enforcement of safety standards to protect workers across Minnesota.
For more information on workplace safety and diving hazards, visit MNOSHA's Safety and Health at Work page.
Original Story: Latest on the Serious Diving Incident at Lac Lavon Lake in Apple Valley
Written by: Will Wight
