After a 6-month investigation by Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), failure to train workers properly was cited as a key factor in a March 27, 2000, explosion and fire at the Phillips Chemical Company’s Houston Chemical Complex in Pasadena, Texas. The agency recently proposed $2.5 million in penalties for 50 alleged violations of safety standards at the facility. One worker died in the explosion and 69 others were injured.
“Unfortunately, this tragedy is not an isolated incident, but one in a series of incidents at this site,” said Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman. “Three workers lost their lives in explosions at this plant in less than a year’s time, and 23 others were killed in a major explosion in 1989.” The plant employs 850 workers who make high quality plastic resins for use in medical and consumer products.
Based on a report from Safety Currents
