OSHA cited Formosa Plastics Corp. in Point Comfort, Texas, for nine safety and health violations totaling $114,000.
An OSHA investigation began May 25 when an employee was severely injured in a fire at the plant.
Formosa Plastics employs approximately 1,500 workers and manufactures plastics.
OSHA''s inspection of the company resulted in one willful, six serious and two repeat violations.
The one willful violation was for operating procedures that were inadequately written.
The six serious violations were for failing to ensure that all affected employees such as process operators were aware that the process hazards analysis for Polypropylene Unit No. 1 existed and were available at the facility; failing to properly handle and clean-up spills of combustible polypropylene and also failing to develop written procedures to address the scheduling, inspection and testing of process valves as part of a comprehensive maintenance program.
Two repeat violations were for failing to include piping and instrument diagrams in the company''s process safety information and for failing to address hazards in its process hazard analysis.
Formosa has 15 working days from receipt of the citations to comply or contest them.
by Virginia Sutcliffe