Harford News

Congressmen Andy Harris, Scott Perry, Jeff Van Drew, and Chris Smith have addressed a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health following the death of a mariner working on the Empire Wind construction project. The lawmakers are urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue a notice of imminent danger under section 13(a) of the OSH Act. They also seek a temporary restraining order to immediately halt all construction operations for Empire Wind.

The congressmen expressed their concern over the industrialization of offshore wind projects, which they claim negatively impacts their respective districts. In their statement, they said: “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.”

They further emphasized their longstanding warnings about these projects' potential dangers: “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.”

For additional information or media inquiries, Anna Adamian can be contacted at Anna.A@mail.house.gov.