July 18, 2024

US Department of Labor finds global ink, coatings maker failed to properly protect employee from flash fire incident in Lisbon

Wikoff Color Corp. did not follow required process safety management procedures

LISBON, WI ‒ The operators of a global ink and coatings manufacturing company could have prevented an employee at its Lisbon facility from suffering burn injuries from a flash fire that erupted in an industrial mixing vessel containing flammable liquids and vapors by following federal regulations for handling of highly hazardous chemicals, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found.

An investigation by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration at Wikoff Color Corp. determined a flash fire sparked in the mixing vessel as the employee manually added combustible powder ingredients. Inspectors found the flames exited the vessel's charging port and caused the employee to sustain first-and second-degree burns in January 2024.

"A worker suffered severe and painful injuries needlessly because Wikoff Color Corp. did not follow federal safety and health regulations designed to protect workers when handling highly hazardous chemicals," explained OSHA Area Director Dustin Schnipke in Milwaukee. "This company has been in business far too long to expose employees to hazards that can be reduced by using proper procedures and training employees to ensure safe working conditions for all."

OSHA investigators cited Wikoff Color Corp. for multiple violations of Process Safety Management requirements related to the safe handling of highly hazardous chemicals, including flammable liquids. They also found the company failed to provide employees with effective training on the hazards of flammable liquids and combustible dust and exposed workers to fall hazards. The investigation identified 12 serious violations, leading the agency to assess $183,207 in proposed penalties.

The company had an informal conference with OSHA's area director and agreed to abate the 12 violations and pay $110,000 in penalties.

Founded in 1956 in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Wikoff Color Corp. is an ink and coatings manufacturer for commercial printing applications operating facilities at 23 locations in 18 states and others in Brazil, Canada and the U.K., working with distributors in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Venezuela. The Lisbon facility opened in December 2021.

OSHA's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard contains requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes using highly hazardous chemicals.

Learn more about OSHA.

Media Contacts: 

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

Release Number: 24-1261-CHI