CHICAGO (CBS) — The U.S. Department of Labor reached a settlement with a Waukegan chemical manufacturer more than five years later an explosion at their factory killed four workers.
AB Specialty Silicones LLC will pay a $1.3 million fine over the explosion
Four workers – 24 year old chemist Daniel Nicklas29 year old chemical operator and co-owner Allen Stevens, 53 year old supervisor and co-owner Byron Biehn and 57-year-old production supervisor Jeff Cummings – died in an explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones factory in May 2019. Three other workers were injured. The explosion also damaged at least five other buildings in the area.
An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that the company failed to ensure its electrical equipment met federal standards. AB Specialty also used propane-powered forklifts to transport flammable liquids in areas where employees handled the substances, according to the Labor Department.
As part of the agreement, the company has temporarily stopped manufacturing and using certain silicone products until a new process is designed.
“This agreement will never replace the four workers lost in this preventable tragedy, but it is a step in the right direction,” said Chicago OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan. “OSHA will continue to hold AB Specialty Silicones accountable for improving their safety culture by working with industry experts and both management and employees to develop and continuously test safety measures, emergency response procedures, and train employees in hazard recognition.”
AB Specialty will pay the fine in 12 quarterly installments through 2027. If she misses a payment, she must pay the remainder of the fine immediately.
In addition to the $1.3 million fine, AB Specialty also agreed to the following:
- Develop a company-wide safety and health management system, implement an emergency action plan and conduct evacuation drills.
- Provide safety training to employees and offer it in all languages that employees understand.
- Requires special training for management on handling flammable materials.
- Purchase industrial trucks suitable for handling flammable materials for all facilities.
- Conduct and maintain comprehensive occupational health and safety management system certification audits in all facilities.
- Hire outside consultants to assist with electrical classification and hazard analysis for future or rebuilt facilities and audit these facilities six months after commencement of operations.
- Allow OSHA to periodically inspect facilities without requiring a warrant.
