DANA POINT (AP) — Federal regulators say they’ve seen more attention to safety at Southern California’s San Onofre nuclear power plant, where several violations prompted concerns from neighbors.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission official Troy Pruett says onsite inspectors found employees at the northern San Diego County plant have become more successful in spotting and fixing problems.

The North County Times says he spoke Tuesday at a public hearing where dozens of plant workers said they have become more safety conscious.

However, increased federal inspections will continue.

The plant has had several problems in the past two years, including an accidental shutdown of a backup system, and a survey this year found that some workers feared retaliation if they reported a safety concern.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)