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For private shipbuilders, many of whom depend on Navy and Coast Guard contracts to remain profitable, there are no long-term consequences for their safety problems.
At an Austal USA shipyard in Alabama, dozens of workers have been injured by a handheld tool that the company modified from its intended use. They’ve lost fingers and suffered deep gashes on their faces, necks and arms.
Sharp criticism of the Navy came in response to the recent Reveal investigation, which found private shipbuilders have received more than $100 billion in public money despite serious safety lapses that have endangered, injured and killed workers.
Warren cited a report that found Pentagon officials do not always consider the safety records of companies when reviewing contracting bids.
A GAO report inspired by a Reveal investigation says about one-quarter of contractors it reviewed were cited for serious health or safety violations.
Since 2008, major private shipbuilders have earned more than $100 billion in federal contracts despite having been cited for serious safety lapses that have endangered, injured and killed workers.
Companies vying for federal contracts will not be required to disclose serious workplace safety violations after the Senate narrowly voted to overturn one of former President Barack Obama’s executive orders.
VT Halter has reaped hundreds of millions of dollars building vessels for the U.S. Navy even as its workers have been killed and injured.
Huntington Ingalls Industries and other shipbuilders stand to benefit from Trump’s planned shipbuilding expansion, and it appears they will continue to face little accountability for putting workers in danger.
