OSHA wallops plastics maker with $361,500 in penalties
Formosa Plastics Corp. of Illiopolis, Ill., was walloped with $361,500 in penalties following its investigation into an April 23 explosion that took the lives of five workers, seriously injured three others and destroyed much of the facility.
OSHA issued citations for 45 alleged serious violations and three alleged willful violations of federal safety regs. Serious violations included allegations of a wide range of hazards associated with control of flammable liquid and ignition sources, insufficient worker training, electrical and lockout/tagout hazards, insufficient training on emergency response, organization, and equipping of fire brigade personnel, among others.