OSHA cites Austal

MOBILE, Ala. – Shipbuilder Austal USA was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 12 safety and health violations following a May 2014 complaint. Proposed penalties total $41,500. Citations were issued for lack of standard railings on staircases, improperly secured gas cylinders, overexposure of workers to copper fumes during welding operations, failure to ensure workers followed safety procedures and other violations. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to respond. OSHA has cited the facility three times in the past five years. The shipbuilding told the Mobile paper that its total recordable incident rate is "well below the industry standard" and maintaining worker safety is its "number one priority" for the more than 4,200 workers in the Mobile shipyard. (Source: OSHA, al.com, 11/19/14)