March 24, 2022

US Department of Labor issues $139K in penalties to address
workplace safety deficiencies after six workers injured in flash fire

Employers:

Westlake Chemical Lake Charles South, Westlake, Louisiana

Wastewater Specialties LLC, Sulphur, Louisiana

Turn2 Specialty Companies LLC, La Porte, Texas

Leak Sealers Inc., Lumberton, Texas

Citations issued:

Turn2 Specialty Companies LLC
Four serious violations with proposed penalties of $58,008

Westlake Chemical Lake Charles South
Three serious violations with proposed penalties of $30,453

Leak Sealers Inc.
Two serious violations with proposed penalties of $26,104

Wastewater Specialties LLC
Two serious violations, with proposed penalties of $24,862

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations with a combined 11 serious violations to four employers for lack of safe work practices; confined space permit violations; confined space training, exposure to airborne concentrations of benzene; struck-by hazards; flash fire and explosions hazards and not performing process equipment inspections.

OSHA initiated an investigation following a flash fire and subsequent explosion that seriously injured six workers Sept. 27, 2021, at Westlake Chemicals in Sulphur, Louisiana. The incident occurred during preventive care and maintenance activities at Westlake Chemicals Sulphur facility.

Proposed penalties: $139,427

Quote: “Employers are responsible for ensuring employees have a safe workplace by having the correct confined space permits and a plan in place to inspect equipment to prevent serious injuries,” said Area Director Roderic Chube in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “Employers should also make sure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of benzene in excess of the permissible exposure limits.”  

Links to citations: Turn2 Specialty Companies LLC, Westlake Chemical Lake Charles South, Leak Sealers Inc. and Wastewater Specialties LLC

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Media Contacts:

Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Chauntra Rideaux, 972-850-4710,  rideaux.chauntra.d@dol.gov

Release Number:  22-545-DAL

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).