WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania chocolate factory was fined more than $44,000 by the federal workplace safety agency on Thursday for failing to evacuate before a natural gas explosion that killed seven people.
Palmer Co. did not heed warnings from employees about a natural gas leak, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which issued multiple citations to the company.
Palmer Co. did not evacuate the facility after being told of a suspected gas leak,” OSHA Area Director Kevin T. Chambers, of the agency’s Harrisburg office, said in a written statement.
Employees in both buildings told federal investigators they could smell gas before the explosion.
Workers at the plant have accused Palmer of ignoring warnings of a natural gas leak, saying the plant, in a small town 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia, should have been evacuated.
Persons:
Kevin T, Chambers, ” Palmer, Palmer
Organizations:
Palmer Co, . Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Palmer, Employees, Workers
Locations:
Pennsylvania, Palmer, Harrisburg, West Reading, Philadelphia