Nassco Will Contest Charges of ‘Willful’ Violations on Safety

A spokesman for National Steel & Shipbuilding Co. said Friday that the company will contest the 11 charges of “willful” safety violations brought against the shipyard last month after a federal safety inspection.

In addition, Fred Hallett, Nassco vice president and spokesman, said company officials will challenge about 220 of the remaining 440 citations issued by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA leveled Nassco with 451 citations in March alleging violations of federal safety laws after a “wall-to-wall” safety inspection of the shipyard. Eleven of the citations alleged deliberate safety violations by the company. The safety agency also recommended $72,300 in fines against the company.

Prompted by Accident

The comprehensive inspection was prompted by a crane accident at the shipyard that killed six workers and injured six others in July. Federal inspectors launched an investigation of the accident and charged the shipyard with 19 alleged violations, including seven willful violations, and proposed $62,800 in fines. Nassco is contesting 18 of those citations through the OSHA appeal process.

Hallett said the decision to contest the charges was made Friday morning by Nassco President R.H. Vortmann. Although Hallett insisted the violations were not willful, he declined to offer an explanation.

The alleged willful violations include Nassco’s failure to certify crane hooks, impaired visibility for crane operators and cracks found on the overhead rails that support electric cranes.

Company officials chose not to contest about 220 citations, Hallett said. “In those instances, OSHA was correct and we are accepting the citations and making the appropriate corrections,” he said. “As for the balance, we feel that we have good, solid evidence that they are improper citations.”

During the sweeping federal inspection, OSHA inspectors pointed out several areas where safety could be improved at the shipyard. According to Hallett, Nassco has complied with about 85% of those recommendations and is waiting for building materials to comply with the remaining 15%.

OSHA will have to set a hearing date so Nassco can challenge the recent citations, Hallett said. Company officials are still waiting for a hearing date for the 18 citations the shipyard contested in January, he added.