Shipyards workers settle lead claims for $7.5 million
SUPERIOR, Wis. (AP) — Fraser Shipyards has settled lawsuits involving dozens of workers who were exposed to lead while working on an old freighter in Superior, the company said Thursday.
Fraser has agreed to pay $7.5 million to more than 60 workers who were exposed to lead paint. The workers were involved in a 2016 engine repowering project for the freighter Herbert C. Jackson at Fraser's Superior yards. They were converting the freighter's old boiler and steam power system to diesel when they were exposed to the lead, according to Fraser spokesman Rob Karwath.
The first of the three federal lawsuits had been scheduled for trial in December.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Fraser for numerous 2016 work violations and fined it $1.4 million. OSHA later reduced that penalty to $700,000 as part of a settlement in which Fraser adopted a new safety plan.
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