NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Newport News Shipbuilding more than $13,000 for a safety violation after investigating the death of an employee. However, the violation was unrelated to the death.
The Daily Press of Newport News reports shipyard president Jenifer Boykin said in a letter that employee James Goins was injured in a fall last year and died after surgery.
No one witnessed Goins’ fall, and OSHA’s investigation did not determine a cause.
Federal investigators found restricted space near shipping containers where some of the workers spend time. The violation was near where Goins fell, but was not connected to his death.
The violation was categorized as “serious,” and warranted the maximum fine.
Shipyard safety official Dru Branche said it had complied with the mandated changes.
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