BAE Systems Inc. Cited for Alleged Safety Violations in Texas

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited BAE Systems Inc. with 16 alleged serious and two alleged repeat violations of federal health and safety regulations following an inspection at the company’s facility in Sealy, Texas. Proposed penalties total $138,000.

OSHA’s Austin Area Office began an investigation Feb. 19 at the BAE Systems facility in Sealy as part of OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting inspection list. Some of the serious violations include failing to ensure walking working surfaces remained clear, failing to provide safe clearances for material handling equipment, failing to provide machine guarding and violations related to the control of hazardous energy, welding and electrical hazards.

Repeat violations were for failing to guard press brakes and to ensure compressed air used for cleaning had pressures reduced below 30 psi.

Rockville, Md.-based BAE Systems Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems PLC. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Austin, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA, www.osha.gov