Minneapolis, Minn.-Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has assessed a fine of $25,000 against a trucking firm and $1,400 against CF Industries Holdings Inc. for workplace violations in connection with the deaths of two truck drivers last November during the unloading of anhydrous ammonia at CF’s Pine Bend facility (GM Archives). The citations were issued May 5, but confirmed to the press only last week. High Pressure Transports LLC of Kingfisher, Okla., was cited for “not furnishing to each employee conditions and a place of employment free from recognized hazards which caused or were likely to cause death or serious injury,” noting in particular that the employer did not provide effective training to employees engaged in the transfer of anhydrous ammonia. CF was fined $1,400 for failing to make sure that all respirators maintained for emergencies were inspected at least monthly and in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. That citation also noted that the respirators were to be checked for proper function before and after each use. Neither company contested the citations, said Minnesota OSHA spokesman James Honerman. “They paid the penalties and corrected the items that Minnesota OSHA asked them to correct,” he said. Killed at the scene on Nov. 16 was Robert Shue, 31, Kingfisher. Roy Thomas Taylor, 56, of Moore, Okla., died in the hospital about two weeks later. At the time of the incident, Shue was reported to be having trouble with a connection between a pipe delivering the ammonia and the tank on his truck.
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