ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has given Robins Air Force Base little time to correct potential health hazards in Building 169.

The federal agency formally alerted base officials on May 28 of 11 “serious” and two “willful” findings in the facility where some 200 workers fabricate and repair composite components for F-15, C-5, C-17 and C-130 aircraft.

The OSHA directive came after an extensive review of the work site that began in November of 2009 after a base worker filed a complaint. Tests revealed chromium, lead, cadmium, manganese, copper, beryllium, zinc oxide and other contaminants throughout the building.

According to OSHA documents obtained by The Warner Robins Patriot, most of the findings must be corrected by June 18. The exceptions are immediate training for workers on health hazards associated with chemicals used in the work area and a June 4 compliance date for ensuring workers monitoring methylene chloride spraying are wearing protective equipment.

One of the “willful” violations – providing a “change room” for workers to shed contaminated coveralls – must be corrected by July 9. A second “willful” finding – requiring workers to “dry sweep” in areas where vacuuming systems were working improperly – must be resolved by June 18.

According to OSHA, “willful” violations occur when the employer “either knows an operation constitutes a violation” or “was aware that a hazardous condition existed” and “made no reasonable effort” to correct the condition.

William Fulcher, acting OSHA director for the Atlanta region, said the agency’s abatement dates are generally “fixed in stone,” although extensions are sometimes granted.

“We will have an informal conference with (Robins officials) and they could ask for an extension,” Fulcher said during a telephone interview. “For example, it could be that a correction will involve a huge capital expenditure and may require bids and quotes. We will listen to them and also determine what they are going to do in the meantime to protect their employees. If everything sounds legitimate, we can often grant an extension.”

To this point, Robins has not signaled plans to contest the findings or ask for extensions. A request for a follow-on interview of base officials was denied.

"We have no plans for interviews or news releases on (this) subject at this time," Robins spokesman John Birdsong said by e-mail Thursday afternoon.

However, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Commander Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer, in a May 18 e-mail to the Pentagon, said the change room and central vacuum system could require up to 12 months.

Fulcher said the objectives are to work with employers but also ensure workers are protected while deficiencies are corrected.

“We don’t run in and shut them down,” he said. “OSHA doesn’t shut down anyone. If they do need extensions, we will grant them if warranted. If they are not, we can reissue the citations.”

The acting director called the Robins findings “quite significant.”

“That’s based on the exposure we found and because we decided there were willful violations,” he stressed. “We find it to be a very significant case and we hope the Air Force will cooperate with us to ensure workers are no longer exposed.”

Fulcher said OSHA’s response to the appeal from a Robins worker demonstrates that the agency takes every complaint seriously.

“One of the biggest things we’ve been able to show is the importance we place on employee health in the work place,” he said.

He also expects the findings to have broad impact. “A case as large as this one – and as public as it has become – is a good tool to promote safety and health and to get other employers to implement controls so that their employees are not exposed to these chemicals,” he said.

“We use these significant cases to publicize to the rest of the world that these hazards are out there and they need to be addressed before we arrive and have to use enforcement,” Fulcher added.