A federal agency has issued several citations against a Mason City cement company. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration on Monday announced they had issued 24 citations against Lehigh Cement Company for violations of the Mine Act.

Seven of those citations were for violations likely to cause serious injury or illness, while the other 17 violations were determined less likely to pose such a risk. The Mine Act prioritizes the health and safety of employees in coal or other mining industries.

Plant manager Tom O’Neill says in a written statement that the company is committed to workplace safety and their first priority is to immediately address and rectify all the issues raised during the inspection conducted in March.

(Reporting by Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City)