Fatal Explosion at Houston Chemical Plant Draws Federal Probe

Federal investigators will probe a Houston-area chemical plant where one worker was killed and two were injured in an April 2 fire and explosion.

The inquiry by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, announced April 3, will look at the circumstances that might have led to the explosion at the KMCO LLC facility and offer recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Chemical Safety Board does not issue any fines or citations. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating to determine if worker safety standards were violated, agency spokeswoman Chauntra Rideaux said in ...