COLUMBUS, Ohio — A paint plant fire that killed one person and injured eight others in Columbus in April has been deemed an accident, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Tuesday.
The Yenkin-Majestic Paint facility on Leonard Avenue caught fire, creating an explosion shortly after midnight on April 8. Around 40 workers were inside the building, and a 44-year-old man was killed. Eight others were sent to the hospital with injuries, according to the Columbus Division of Fire.
The investigation, which consisted of members from the Ohio EPA, Columbus Division of Fire, Occupational Safety Health Administration and the National Chemical Safety Board, found that the fire was caused by chemical reaction after the employer altered a kettle reactor improperly and then kept it in service after it failed alterations.
“The same kettle reactor vessel released a flammable vapor cloud when its manway cover and gasket failed. The vapor flowed throughout the plant, ignited and caused the initial explosion,” OSHA stated.
The paint manufacturer has been cited for two willful and 33 serious safety violations, which involve lack of personal protective equipment and employee training. Yenkin-Majestic faces a total of $709,960 in fines.
“Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corp. could have prevented this terrible tragedy if they had followed industry standards and removed a compromised kettle from service,” said Acting OSHA Regional Administrator William Donovan in Chicago. “Knowing that this company altered equipment, failed to use a qualified fabricator and returned equipment to service aware that it did not meet safety standards is unacceptable.”
According to OHSA, the company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Yenkin-Majestic hasn’t responded to Spectrum News 1’s request for comment.
