West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin recently spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for the designation of March 22, 2024, as National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day.
This initiative aims to honor Gabe White, a young man who tragically lost his life in a barge accident in March 2023. Senator Shelley Moore Capito partnered with Manchin to introduce the resolution.
An investigation into White's death revealed that it could have been prevented. The probe found that he did not have access to necessary safety equipment, was positioned out of the crane operator's line of sight, and lacked a spotter at the time of the accident. The resolution seeks to underscore the significance of prioritizing the safety of workers like deckhands, engineers, and other personnel by equipping them with the essential resources and knowledge to execute their duties safely.
Furthermore, the resolution acknowledges the efforts of the Coast Guard, American Waterways Operators, Maritime Trades Department, and other organizations in their endeavors to diminish workplace injuries and fatalities within and around towing vessels.