Paint manufacturer cited after deadly explosion

A paint manufacturer in Columbus, Ohio, is facing a $709,960 fine issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following the agency’s investigation into an April explosion that killed one worker and hospitalized eight. 

OSHA in a statement issued Thursday said the incident at Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corp. “could have been prevented had the employer not altered a kettle reactor vessel improperly and then returned the vessel to service after it failed following the alterations.”

Investigators determined the same kettle reactor vessel released a flammable vapor cloud when its manway cover and gasket failed and that the vapor flowed throughout the plant, ignited and caused the initial explosion.

OSHA cited the paint manufacturer for two willful and 33 serious safety violations of the agency’s process safety management and hazardous waste operations and emergency response procedures. OSHA also noted violations involving lack of personal protective equipment and employee training. The agency also placed Yenkin-Majestic in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

Company officials could not immediately provide comment.