Maine’s Bath Iron Works Faces Fine

Federal regulators have proposed that Bath Iron Works be fined $441,500 for violating safety standards at its shipyard in Bath, Maine.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said an inspection that began June 4 revealed 59 alleged willful, repeat and serious safety violations which exposed employees to a wide range of potential hazards.

A Bath Iron Works spkesman was reviewing the allegations before commenting on them.

The shipyard has 15 days from receipt of the citations to request a meeting with OSHA about the proposed fines or to contest them before an independent review panel.

The inspection was conducted by OSHA’s Augusta office under a program that targets workplaces with higher-than-average injury and illness rates.

The shipyard was cited for violations involving mechanical, electrical, chemical, fire, fall and exit access hazards, several of which had been cited on previous OSHA inspections.

“This recurrence of hazards is disturbing and must be addressed,” said Marthe Kent, OSHA regional administrator for New England. “Everyone at Bath Iron Works must focus seriously on safety and health and take effective, ongoing action to identify, address and eliminate workplace hazards.”