Chemical manufacturer to pay $1.3 million penalty after 2019 plant explosion

(United States) Chemical products manufacturer AB Specialty Silicones LLC will pay $1.3 million in penalties after an explosion and fire at its Waukegan plant in May 2019 claimed the lives of four workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reached a settlement agreement with the company after an investigation revealed AB Specialty Silicones failed to ensure electrical equipment complied with OSHA standards.

The company also used propane-powered forklifts to transport flammable liquids in areas where employees handled flammable liquids and gases.

As part of the agreement, the company has temporarily ceased production and use of silicon-hydride emulsions at all facilities until a new process area for production is designed by an engineering firm.

The Administrative Law Judge overseeing the case before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission accepted the parties’ notification of settlement and terminated proceedings.

As part of the agreement, AB Specialty Silicones agreed to do 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 understood by employees.
• Require specialty training for management on handling flammable materials.
• Purchase industrial trucks properly rated for handling flammable materials for all facilities.
• Perform comprehensive audits of its occupational health and safety management system certification and maintain at all facilities.
• Hire third-party consultants to assist with the analysis of electrical classification and hazards for any future or rebuilt facilities and audit those facilities six months after the start of operations.
• Allow OSHA to periodically inspect facilities without requiring a warrant.

AB Specialty Silicones will pay the penalty in 12 quarterly installments through 1 September 2027. If a payment is missed, the entire penalty becomes due immediately.

This is valid as of the 14th October 2024.