State OSHA Cites Honolulu for Training LODD

The State of Hawaii’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited the Honolulu Fire Department for two OSHA violations following its investigation into the training death of Clifford Riggsbee last June.

Riggsbee died during water rescue training in an area known as Suicides near Diamond Head. He was 63 at the time of his death. HIOSHA fined the department $15,400, with one citation being because the safety officer did not have a clear view of the surf where the exercise was talking place and the other for there being a worn wrist lanyard on a watercraft.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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