October 2, 2024

AB Specialty Silicones must pay $1.3M federal penalty, implement comprehensive safety programs after 2019 Waukegan plant explosion

Company settles OSHA investigation that cost four workers' lives

WAUKEGAN, IL – Chemical products manufacturer AB Specialty Silicones LLC will pay $1.3 million in penalties after an explosion and fire at its Waukegan plant in May 2019 claimed the lives of four workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration reached a settlement agreement with the company after an investigation revealed AB Specialty Silicones failed to ensure electrical equipment complied with OSHA standards. The company also used propane-powered forklifts to transport flammable liquids in areas where employees handled flammable liquids and gases.

As part of the agreement, the company has temporarily ceased production and use of silicon-hydride emulsions at all facilities until a new process area for production is designed by an engineering firm.

"This agreement will never replace the four workers lost in this preventable tragedy, but it's a step in the right direction," said OSHA Regional Administrator Bill Donovan in Chicago. "OSHA will continue to hold AB Specialty Silicones accountable for improving their safety culture by working with industry experts, and both management and employees to develop and continually test safety measures, emergency response procedures and training employees in hazard recognition."

On Oct. 1, 2024, the Administrative Law Judge overseeing the case before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission accepted the parties' notification of settlement and terminated proceedings.

As part of the agreement, AB Specialty Silicones agreed to do the following:

• Develop a company-wide safety and health management system, implement an emergency action plan and conduct evacuation drills.
• Provide safety training to employees and offer it in all languages understood by employees.
• Require specialty training for management on handling flammable materials.
• Purchase industrial trucks properly rated for handling flammable materials for all facilities.
• Perform comprehensive audits of its occupational health and safety management system certification and maintain at all facilities.
• Hire third-party consultants to assist with the analysis of electrical classification and hazards for any future or rebuilt facilities and audit those facilities six months after the start of operations.
• Allow OSHA to periodically inspect facilities without requiring a warrant.

AB Specialty Silicones will pay the penalty in 12 quarterly installments through Sept. 1, 2027. If a payment is missed, the entire penalty becomes due immediately.

Headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, AB Specialty Silicones is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty silicone chemicals.

Learn more about OSHA.

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
Docket No. 19-1831

Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-4807, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 24-1994-CHI