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OSHA News Release
2005 - 04/04/2005 - OSHA, Formosa Plastics Settle Citations Issued Following Illiopolis, Ill. Explosion |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 05-391-CHI Date: April 4, 2005 Contact: Brad Mitchell Phone: (312) 353-6976 OSHA, Formosa Plastics Settle Citations Issued
Following Illiopolis, Ill. Explosion
Agreement Carries National Implications for Safety at Formosa PEORIA, Ill. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reached agreement with Formosa Plastics Corporation, Illiopolis, Ill., resolving citations issued following an investigation into an April 23, 2004 explosion that took the lives of five workers, seriously injured three others and destroyed much of the facility. "This agreement offers an increased level of protection as Formosa rebuilds, and allows working men and women the opportunity to become real partners in workplace safety," said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael G. Connors, Chicago. "I'm pleased that these advances can be made immediately instead of waiting for months or longer for litigation to be completed. Further, it is doubtful we could have made this kind of progress solely by litigating the matter, and I'm confident this is the best outcome possible for Formosa's employees." Among key elements in the settlement are Formosa's agreement to employ at least one independent, qualified consultant with expertise in chemical process safety management to work with design engineers on a new Formosa facility and to work with software engineers to reduce the possibility of human error at a new plant now under consideration by the company. Many of OSHA's citations issued after the investigation centered around process safety management deficiencies. The company further agreed to retain a process safety management specialist to assist with training Formosa workers on safety at a new plant. Formosa will also conduct audits at its other polyvinyl chloride manufacturing facilities to determine if hazards similar to those identified by OSHA in Illiopolis exist elsewhere. The audits will be performed by persons outside the facility being audited. In return, OSHA has reduced the original penalty of $361,500 to $300,000; changed seven of 43 serious citations to other-than-serious; and reclassified willful citations to unclassified. Changing citation classifications has no bearing on any other related litigation that might arise. Formosa Plastics has also withdrawn its Notice of Contest before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. In fiscal year 2004, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted more than 39,000 inspections. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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