Congressmen Harris, Perry, Van Drew, and Smith Send Joint Letter to Assistant Secretary of Labor in Response to the Tragic Death of a Mariner Working on Offshore Wind Project

Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Andy Harris, M.D., (MD-01), Scott Perry (PA-10), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Chris Smith (NJ-04), sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health concerning the tragic death of a mariner that, at the time of his death, was working on the Empire Wind construction project.

Specifically, the lawmakers wrote to request that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue a notice of imminent danger, as authorized under section 13(a) of the OSH Act, and seek a temporary restraining order to halt all construction operations for Empire Wind immediately.
The industrialization of offshore wind adversely affects each district represented in the letter.

Statement From the Congressmen:

"We are saddened by the tragic death of a mariner who lost his life from the dangerous conditions on the Empire Wind construction project. All work on the Empire Wind project must immediately be halted until OSHA can conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of all involved workers is guaranteed. Furthermore, this pause must remain in place until all construction-related safety hazards are remedied by Equinor," said the lawmakers.

"We have been sounding the alarm on the harmful effects of these projects for many years. They are a hazard to the environment, to our national security, to local coastal economies, and now they have proven to be a hazard to those tasked with their construction. A stop work order must go into effect to ensure this tragedy does not repeat itself."

The letter can be read HERE.

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