OSHA investigation leads to $262K in fines for aerospace facility after fire

The U.S. Department of Labor cited an Orlando, Florida-based target-missile manufacturer for exposing workers to fire, burn and inhalation hazards after a December fire hospitalized two employees and injured others.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace Inc. faces fines totaling $262,451 after investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found alleged safety failures after two employees were severely burned and another sustained injuries from burns and smoke inhalation while they worked on a missile component.

OSHA also determined that the employer exposed other workers to burn and inhalation hazards from incorrectly stored and handled explosives and from failing to classify the physical hazards of a highly reactive chemical, according to a news release this week.

Aerojet Rocketdyne was cited for one “willful” and six “serious” violations. It has 15 days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.