The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has released a report that shows several public safety operations have been delayed amid the government shutdown, Federal News Radio reported Friday.Jared Serbu writes the National Transportation Safety Board has furloughed 383 of its 410 employees, including investigators.
Deborah Hersman, NTSB chairman, told a committee hearing the agency failed to deploy investigators to 14 accidents, including a bus crash in Tennessee, aviation mishap in Arizona and a work accident in Washington’s Metro system, according to the station.
“These delays slow our determination of probable cause and the issuance of safety recommendations, essentially delaying safety to the American public, resulting in lost lives and injuries,†Hersman adds.
The Federal Aviation Administration furloughed nearly 15,000 workers responsible for aircraft safety certifications and ceased training for new controllers, the report says.
Serbu writes the Consumer Product Safety Commission, responsible for monitoring product safety, halted operations and furloughed 95 percent of employees.
More than 300 employees at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are also on furlough, Federal News Radio reports.
