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In addition to releasing new regulations on combustible dust for many industries, OSHA just levied one of the largest worker safety fines in history, against a sugar refinery for violating the regulations.

OSHA issued citations with penalties totaling $8,777,500 against Imperial Sugar Co. and two affiliates. This is the third largest fine in OSHA history.

The fines are for violations at sugar plants in Port Wentworth, Georgia, and Louisiana. After the tragic February 7, 2008 explosion that claimed 13 lives at the Port Wentworth refinery near Savannah, 40 other employees were hospitalized. Three employees are still in the hospital. On rescue worker described the fiery scene “like walking into hell.”

Officials at the Gramercy, Louisiana plant should not have been surprised by the OSHA inspection. The agency has a history of inspecting other plants belonging to the same company, after a serious accident.

OSHA’s inspection showed that (more…)