Whitaker Finishing LLC fined $15,000 by OSHA

Whitaker Finishing LLC, a company that does metal finishing has been fined $15,000 for safety violations found by federal inspectors during a visit Aug. 26 to the company’s operations in Northwood, OH.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Whitaker Finishing LLC, 2707 Tracy Rd., for five serious violations after finding employees were not using protective equipment when exposed to harmful substances and chemicals and that a railing on tanks containing caustic substances did not meet specifications.

The company either pay the fine and correct the violations or contest the citations.

Fires from Ohio train tanker explosion are put out

ARCADIA, Ohio—Emergency workers in Ohio say they have put out fires that erupted after tanker cars carrying ethanol derailed over the weekend.

Witnesses say they felt the ground shake every time one of the tankers exploded, and amateur videos show fireballs shooting into the sky over rural Ohio south of Toledo.

Hancock County Emergency Management Director Garry Valentine said Monday that firefighters had most of the flames under control by late Sunday. Crews are starting to remove some of the debris.

Authorities estimate that at least eight cars carrying more than 30,000 gallons of ethanol exploded after they tumbled off the tracks early Sunday. No one was injured, but homes within two miles were evacuated.

Valentine says residents have been allowed to go back home.

Ohio gas line pressure leads to explosion, fires

An evacuation had been ordered in the town, but residents were instead later directed to turn off gas lines and stay inside



FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio — Authorities say built-up pressure in natural gas lines led to a house explosion and then a series of fires in a northern Ohio community.

Deputy Chief Tom Talcott of the Mentor fire department says a dozen or more fires were reported early Monday in Fairport Harbor, northeast of Cleveland along Lake Erie. He says only two were still burning by late morning.

An evacuation had been ordered in the town, but when the situation stabilized, residents instead were directed to turn off gas lines and stay inside. Talcott says nearly the whole village was affected, but he didn't have an estimate of how many residents had evacuated their homes.

Mayor Frank Sarosy says there were no immediate reports of injuries.

2 companies fined over deaths OSHA accuses

Two northwest Ohio companies have been fined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for alleged safety violations that may have contributed to employee deaths. And two other area firms received fines above $50,000 for violations.

Charles Jones Produce LLC of Oak Harbor was fined $17,600 this month after one of the company's employees died in October, according to OSHA. The worker reportedly was struck and killed by a fork truck being driven by another employee. OSHA says the firm failed to ensure the truck driver's path was clear, among other violations.

Guardsmark LLC, a security services firm in Lima, was fined $18,900 last month after OSHA said it improperly modified an industrial truck used for security patrols. OSHA Area Director Jule Hovi said a death resulted from the alleged safety hazards, which took place in July, but she did not provide details of the accident.

Charles Jones Produce has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday with OSHA officials, while Guardsmark has not responded to the citation, Ms. Hovi said. Neither company could be reached for comment Friday.

Separately, Chase Brass & Copper Co. LLC in Montpelier was fined $57,600 this month for violations found in September during a routine inspection. The company allegedly did not properly protect employees from potential falls, breathing hazards, and cadmium exposure, among other citations. The company has not contacted OSHA, Ms. Hovi said.

In a statement, Chase Brass said, "We take worker health and safety very seriously and are working with OSHA to address these citations."

INEOS USA LLC, a chemical production facility in Lima, was fined $62,500 this month for reportedly failing to provide proper ventilation and exposing employees to explosion hazards, along with other alleged violations. Ms. Hovi said an inspection that took place in July stemmed from an employee complaint. The company has not contacted OSHA about the citations, she said. INEOS could not reached for comment Friday.