Imperial Sugar Company admitted to no wrongdoing in reaching a settlement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration last week over the February 7, 2008, combustible dust explosion at its Port Wentworth, GA, plant that killed 14 employees and seriously injured 36 others.
That's a small victory considering the dire circumstances plus the fact that the company also agreed to pay a shade over $6 million in fines and not to contest 124 violations at its Port Wentworth and Gramercy, LA, facilities.
But that's not all.
Though not admitting wrongdoing, Imperial Sugar also agreed to implement unprecedented ComDust training, safety inspection and records keeping requirements at both of its plants. Plus, the company agreed to hire an OSHA-approved "independent expert" at each plant and retain outside consultants to conduct safety audits for a three-year period, including evaluating its programs for managing combustible dust hazards, such as housekeeping, preventative maintenance and protective equipment for workers.
Why Should Wood Products Companies Care?
Sometime in the not too distant future, woodworking and other industries likely will have Imperial Sugar to thank for stringent regulations governing protection of workers from combustible dust fires and explosions. That's not all bad, considering that injuries and loss of life will probably be averted. But I think those erstwhile goals can largely be accomplished through education and what better lesson is to be learned than from the Imperial Sugar tragedy?
The Chemical Safety Board investigated the circumstances of the Imperial Sugar explosion and ruled that the incidence could have been prevented. The CSB's findings leave open the possibility that Imperial Sugar and/or some of its executives could still face criminal charges. This would be above and beyond the payouts for civil lawsuits that the company has settled and has on its dashboard, never mind the $60 million the company said it lost the year of the big blast.
So, for the nth time, all I can do is urge you to be pay attention to this issue. Make a complete and thorough inspection, and cleansing of dust build up at your plant. Do all you can to protect your employees, your assets and your reputation.
Don't ever find your company in the position of trying to claim no wrongdoing for a ComDust injury or worse. Not on my watch.
Guest Blogs Welcome
Got a viewpoint you would like to share with our online woodworking community? Woodworking Network welcomes guest blogs from wood products professionals. Submit your opinions to Rich Christianson, Editor at Large, at [email protected]
That's a small victory considering the dire circumstances plus the fact that the company also agreed to pay a shade over $6 million in fines and not to contest 124 violations at its Port Wentworth and Gramercy, LA, facilities.
But that's not all.
Though not admitting wrongdoing, Imperial Sugar also agreed to implement unprecedented ComDust training, safety inspection and records keeping requirements at both of its plants. Plus, the company agreed to hire an OSHA-approved "independent expert" at each plant and retain outside consultants to conduct safety audits for a three-year period, including evaluating its programs for managing combustible dust hazards, such as housekeeping, preventative maintenance and protective equipment for workers.
Why Should Wood Products Companies Care?
Sometime in the not too distant future, woodworking and other industries likely will have Imperial Sugar to thank for stringent regulations governing protection of workers from combustible dust fires and explosions. That's not all bad, considering that injuries and loss of life will probably be averted. But I think those erstwhile goals can largely be accomplished through education and what better lesson is to be learned than from the Imperial Sugar tragedy?
The Chemical Safety Board investigated the circumstances of the Imperial Sugar explosion and ruled that the incidence could have been prevented. The CSB's findings leave open the possibility that Imperial Sugar and/or some of its executives could still face criminal charges. This would be above and beyond the payouts for civil lawsuits that the company has settled and has on its dashboard, never mind the $60 million the company said it lost the year of the big blast.
So, for the nth time, all I can do is urge you to be pay attention to this issue. Make a complete and thorough inspection, and cleansing of dust build up at your plant. Do all you can to protect your employees, your assets and your reputation.
Don't ever find your company in the position of trying to claim no wrongdoing for a ComDust injury or worse. Not on my watch.
Guest Blogs Welcome
Got a viewpoint you would like to share with our online woodworking community? Woodworking Network welcomes guest blogs from wood products professionals. Submit your opinions to Rich Christianson, Editor at Large, at [email protected]
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