The Navy has been cited for safety violations that exposed hundreds of employees at an aircraft hangar in Coronado to toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and beryllium, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday. OSHA inspectors found widespread contamination at the Coronado aircraft maintenance facility, including in areas where the 350 employees stored and consumed food, said Jay Vicory, director of the agency's office in San Diego. The facility is a part of the Navy's Fleet Readiness Center Southwest and works on repairing F-18 fighter jets. The Navy was cited for 21 serious violations stemming from three OSHA inspections conducted in 2011. OSHA said 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. Vicory said OSHA closely checked the facility after receiving complaints from employees. He said he did not know if any had fallen ill but OSHA plans to recommend an assessment be done by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which is part of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Exposing workers to metals such as lead, cadmium and beryllium can result in serious illness and even fatal respiratory disease," Vicory said. "We are encouraged by the Department of the Navy's response to OSHA's intervention, and we are working cooperatively with that department to further mitigate the hazards uncovered." Please read and follow:
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