Health Officials Report 16 Violations at Rockwell
The state Department of Health Services has referred 16 alleged hazardous waste violations by Rockwell International to the state attorney general’s office for possible civil prosecution, officials said Monday.
Eleven of the counts stem from an inspection last June of Rockwell’s Santa Susana Field Laboratory west of Chatsworth and five stem from a follow-up inspection in December, according to officials with the Department of Health Services’ toxic substances control division.
Health officials disclosed last week that they had referred the case for prosecution, but declined to specify the number of counts.
Agency officials said Monday that more violations were found in three additional inspections last month. Two of those inspections were at the Santa Susana lab and the other was at Rockwell’s rocket engine manufacturing plant at 6633 Canoga Ave. Officials said formal results of those inspections have not been furnished either to Rockwell or the attorney general’s office.
Most of the 16 counts referred to the attorney general allege failure by Rockwell to meet deadlines, obtain permits for cleanup work or keep required records. Each count is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000.
Rockwell officials have said they are innocent of most of the charges and that none involve health risks to workers or the public.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
