Raleigh, N.C.-ConAgra Foods has been cited by the North Carolina Labor Department for 26 “serious” health and safety violations in connection with a massive natural gas explosion last June at the company’s Slim Jim plant in Garner that killed four employees and injured dozens more. Included in the violations, which carry total penalties of $134,773, are citations for failing to alert some employees to the hazards of anhydrous ammonia in their work area when they were assigned there and failing to inform subcontractors that ammonia was being used in the plant’s air conditioning and refrigeration system. In addition, according to labor department spokesman Neal O’Briant, subcontractor Energy Systems Analysts, which was working at the plant, was cited for 28 serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, carrying a total penalty of $58,100. O’Briant said as a result of this accident inspections that did not result in citations were opened with 15 other companies. The report from investigators stated that the blast likely occurred when a contractor, in the presence of ConAgra management, was trying to light a gas-fired water heater inside a pump room. The contract worker had improperly purged a new fuel supply line by removing a pressure gauge, allowing gas to vent into the enclosed room, the report said. ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said of the citations: “Since the accident, we have worked closely and fully cooperated with the agency throughout its investigation. We are reviewing their comments and findings but cannot comment on them at this time. As appropriate, we will follow up with the agency on any possible next steps.”
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