Fraser Shipyards Workers React to OSHA Findings
Updated: 08/01/2016 10:43 PM
Created: 08/01/2016 10:40 PM
News of the findings in an OSHA investigation into lead exposure at Fraser Shipyards has reached many of the workers affected.
The federal agency has proposed $1,395,000 in penalties for the shipyard operator, after the investigation sampling found that 14 workers had lead levels up to 20 times the exposure limit.
For those workers, it's a sensitive issue given that many of those affected are still working on the Herbert C. Jackson, which is the ship in question.
Eyewitness News talked to several of those workers on Monday, all of whom declined to be identified or interviewed on camera out of concern for repercussions.
One worker said at its highest, his lead level was at 43 and caused rapid weight loss: 60 pounds total. He said his lead poisoning caused his young child to be exposed too, and he's been denied for life insurance on his wife's plan because of it as well.
He said Fraser knew what was wrong and did nothing to protect safety.
Another worker said Fraser learned its lesson and has taken all the right measures to protect safety. When asked about whether or not Fraser took the steps soon enough, the man declined to comment saying he's not going to bite the hand that feeds him.
More than 20 Fraser workers and their families are involved in a federal civil lawsuit against the shipyard. The Chicago-based attorney representing them commended OSHA's investigation, but he said the fines are not adequate given the harm done to workers who suspected they were being poisoned and their families.
"The OSHA investigation today proves that Fraser knew that and that they made a conscious decision to tell those workers they had nothing to worry about," Attorney Matt Sims of Rapoport Law said. "For Fraser to go into the media today and say we are a family-owned business, and we care about our workers, and we bought state of the art equipment to make sure the this doesn't happen again, I say to that too little too late."
Northern Engineering Company and Interlake Steamship Company are also named in the suit. According to Sims, Fraser and Northern Engineering Company have asked the court to dismiss that pending lawsuit.
Representatives from the local International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. They declined to comment for this story. A statement released by Fraser says Boilermakers have been pleased with the responsiveness by the company to remedy the lead issues and improve safety.