The federal government has cited the company that operated the fertilizer plant in West that exploded in April and killed 15 people.
The West Fertilizer Co. is being hit with 24 serious safety violations and a proposed fine of more than $118,000, The Associated Press is reporting.
The citations are the first from the federal government. Violations include unsafe handling and storage of two fertilizers, anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate.
The company is also being cited for failure to have an emergency response plan, respiratory protection or appropriate fire extinguishers.
The Labor Department issued the citations Wednesday. Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California announced them Thursday because most of the Labor Department is closed due to the government shutdown.
Boxer also said that OSHA’s investigation isn’t complete, The Dallas Morning News is reporting. The fire and explosion prompted the federal agency’s look at the West plant – its first since 1985. Boxer said the agency is woefully understaffed to adequately oversee all workplaces, The News said.
KUT Radio in Austin reported that the investigation into the West explosion has stopped temporarily due to the government shutdown.
West Mayor Tommy Muska told KUT that he's been waiting for a final answer as to what started the fire that sparked the explosion.
"There's nothing we can obviously do about the Washington issue, but I would love for them to come up with a definitive answer as to what caused that explosion," Muska told KUT. "Now, how long that takes, I don't know. They've had six months to work on it. I would think that would probably be long enough. And they may never be able to come up with a definitive answer to that question."
