Avondale Cited for Failing to Record Injuries

Navy shipbuilder Avondale Industries Inc. was hit with federal citations and $180,000 in proposed penalties for “willfully” failing to record hundreds of worker illnesses and injuries at its shipyard in New Orleans. The citations were the second set of alleged violations issued by Occupational Safety and Health Administration as part of its eight-month investigation of Avondale stemming from union safety complaints. OSHA said it found more than 700 cases of improper records in a sample of almost 3,500 employee medical files. Avondale said the inspection demonstrated that its record-keeping system is “99%” accurate and blamed the dispute on a difference in interpreting federal guidelines. Avondale, which has agreed to be acquired by Litton Industries Inc., has 15 working days to contest the fine. Avondale shares rose 13 cents to close at $39.25 on Nasdaq.