Fraser Shipyards Reaches Settlement With OSHA

Fraser Shipyards will pay a fine and make safety improvements in a settlement reached with the federal worker’s safety agency after a man died from severe burns.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a $12,548 citation to the Superior shipyard last month after employee Joe Burch was severely burned on the job this winter. Fraser issued a release Monday, saying the shipyard will now require all workers to wear fire-retardant suits in “hot work” environments. The federal worker’s safety agency and Fraser also agreed to a lesser fine of about $7,500. The shipyard also said OSHA will not issue a finding of any wrongdoing against Fraser in the incident.

“We want to enhance the safety of all Fraser team members who are involved directly in hot work or any work that may come close to such an environment,” said James Farkas, President and Chief Operating Officer of Fraser Industries, in a press release. “That is why we have made these voluntary changes and worked quickly to resolve this case with OSHA.”

Burch died as a result of his injuries on April 8. He had worked at the northern Wisconsin shipyard for 22 years.