OSHA issues $139K in penalties after flash fire injures workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday cites four employers with 11 serious violations for lack of safe work practices after a fire harmed six workers at a Louisiana chemical plant.

The flash fire and subsequent explosion that seriously injured six workers on Sept. 27, 2021, at Westlake Chemicals in Sulphur, Louisiana, occurred during preventive care and maintenance activities, documents state.

Following an investigation, OSHA issued 11 serious violations which include confined space permit violations, confined space training, exposure to airborne concentrations of benzene, struck-by hazards, flash fire and explosions hazards, and not performing process equipment inspections.

OSHA has proposed $139,427 in penalties to the four employers of Westlake Chemical Lake Charles South, Louisiana Wastewater Specialties LLC, Turn2 Specialty Companies LLC and Texas Leak Sealers Inc.