Navy Cited By OSHA For Mishandling Toxic Materials

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the Navy has violated worker safety standards at an aircraft hangar in Southern California that exposed workers to toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and beryllium.

OSHA on Thursday announced that the Coronado aircraft maintenance facility of the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest has been cited for 21 serious violations.

OSHA says a serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

OSHA’s San Diego director, Jay Vicory, says inspectors found widespread contamination on workplace surfaces, including in areas where the roughly 350 employees eat.

Navy spokesman Michael Furlano says the Navy is addressing the problem.