OSHA, Imperial Sugar Reach Settlements For $6 Million Following Fatal Explosion

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration July 7 submitted two settlement agreements with Imperial Sugar totaling $6.05 million over penalties stemming from the Feb. 7, 2008, explosion at the company’s Port Wentworth, Ga., refinery that killed 14 workers and injured others.

Both settlements were submitted to Administrative Law Judge Covette Rooney of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA had originally proposed $8.8 million in penalties against Imperial Sugar, which would have been the fourth-highest fine in agency history, for violations at both its Port Wentworth and Gramercy, La., facilities (144 DLR A-2, 7/28/08).

Under the Port ...