Black Mag Powder Company Fined

[falcon]

Black Mag Powder Co. has been fined 1.2 million dollars by OSHA for the May, 2010 explosion and fire at their plant. Two workers were killed.

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/27...factured-fined

On May 14, two workers and a plant supervisor were manufacturing a gun powder substitute known as Black Mag powder when the explosion occurred. The workers had been required to hand feed powder into operating equipment due to the employer’s failure to implement essential protective controls. The employer also chose not to implement remote starting procedures, isolate operating stations, establish safe distancing and erect barriers or shielding – all of which are necessary for the safe manufacture of explosive powder. Additionally, the employer chose not to provide the personal protective equipment and other safety measures its employees needed to work safely with such hazardous material. OSHA cited the company with four egregious willful, 12 willful, 36 serious and two other-than-serious violations with total penalties of $1,232,500.

“Even after a prior incident in which a worker was seriously injured, and multiple warnings from its business partners and a former employee, this employer still decided against implementing safety measures,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Unfortunately, we see this kind of disregard time and time again across industries. All employers must find and fix workplace hazards so these types of avoidable tragedies don’t happen, and workers can return home safely at the end of the day.”

[cayugad]

OSHA just loves it when the can come in and fine a company. I am curious why, if they were warned they did not implement all the precautions discussed. But of course the worst part of all this is the loss of life.

It will be interesting to see how they handle the fines.

[falcon]

It is sad that two workers were killed and the rest are out of work. It is also sad that the management of MDM/Black Mag apparently learned nothing from an earlier accident this year. An accident in January left one man burned.

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com...urned-mdm.html

This is not the first time the factory has had to deal with a fire emergency. In January, according to a report in the Colebrook Chronicle, a worker at the plant suffered serious injuries to his face and wrist following a flash fire that originated with a machine that processes gunpowder. The flames from that fire accident were reportedly extinguished quickly.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/articl...s-at-gun-plant

Statement of the Fire Marshall:

"I could observe numerous potential sources of ignition in close proximity to the magazine (that) included open/exposed electrical distribution panels, grinding wheels, Butane torches, non-compliant electrical wiring, outlets and light fixtures, drill presses, circular saws, and other tools and equipment," Wyman said in the documents.