OSHA Issues Heavy Fines for Mississippi Explosion
OSHA has fined four companies related to the Omega Protein explosion in Moss Point, Mississippi last year. According to news reports, Accu-Fab & Construction, Omega Protein, JP Williams Machine and Fabrication, and Global Employment were all fined, with fines totaling $187,620.
According to OSHA, the fines were levied because the workers injured in the explosion has no training to know the storage tank beneath them contained explosive methane and hydrogen sulfide gasses. The citation highlights the need to verify and remediation fire and explosion hazards in industrial settings. Jerry Lee Taylor, 25, of Helena, Mississippi, was killed in the explosion. Josh Walls, 34; Clay Davis, 40; and Lloyd McGill were injured.