Dow Chemical Faces $54,000 in OSHA Fines for Louisiana Blast (1)

An explosion at a Dow Chemical Co. plant has led to $53,976 in proposed fines from federal workplace safety regulators.

The fines covering four alleged serious violations of safety rules for chemical processing were issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after an inspection of the plant in Plaquemine, La.

Dow Chemical spokeswoman Ashley Mendoza on Wednesday said the company “cooperated completely with OSHA during its inspection” and is appealing the citations.

The explosion occurred Nov. 3 when a tank containing water and low levels of ethylene oxide and sulfuric acid burst open, news reports immediately after the accident ...