Bostik Settles with OSHA Over Plant Explosion Incident

BOSTON – Bostik, a manufacturer of adhesives including those used in the wood products industry, has agreed to pay a $600,000 fine to help settle litigation related to a March 2011 explosion at its facility in Middleton, MA.

In reaching its settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bostik also agreed to continue taking corrective action to address deficiencies in its process safety management (PSM) program and to submit proof of abatement to OSHA.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wrapped up a six-month investigation last September into the March 13 explosion that injured four workers. OSHA issued 50 citations for alleged safety and health violations totaling proposed fines of $900,000.

Many of the OSHA citations related to violations by Bostik of the agency's process safety management standard in its use of acetone. The standard details requirements and procedures that employers must follow to proactively address hazards associated with processes and equipment involving large amounts of hazardous chemicals.