Late last year a supply line unexpectedly released more than 20,000 pounds of methyl mercaptan at DuPont’s chemical manufacturing facility located in La Porte, Texas. One worker was overcome by the gas. Three co-workers attempted to rescue their fellow employee, but all four were asphyxiated fatally by the colorless, flammable and highly toxic gas.
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After the initial investigation into the four deaths, OSHA found hazards that prompted the inspection at the facility to be expanded under the National Emphasis Program for chemical facilities.
On July 9 OSHA issued citations to DuPont for three willful, one repeat and four serious violations at their chemical manufacturing plant in La Porte. The agency has proposed penalties of $273,000 for these new violations.
"DuPont promotes itself as having a 'world-class safety' culture and even markets its safety expertise to other employers, but these four preventable workplace deaths and the very serious hazards we uncovered at this facility are evidence of a failed safety program," says Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Nothing can bring these workers back to their loved ones. I hope that our continued scrutiny into this facility and into working conditions at other DuPont plants will mean no family ever suffers this loss again. We here at OSHA want DuPont and the chemical industry as a whole to hear this message loud and clear."
OSHA has also placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The program concentrates resources on inspecting employers who have demonstrated indifference toward creating a safe and healthy workplace by committing willful or repeated violations, and/or failing to abate known hazards. It also mandates follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.
According to a press release from OSHA, DuPont has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.