OSHA Reduces Fines Of Plant Where Worker Died

Federal officials have agreed to reduce the fines imposed on a deinking plant plant where one worker was killed and two were seriously injured after safety violations caused a deadly explosion. 

In November, Newstech PA was fined nearly $19,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 11 alleged violations after a nearly two-month investigation into the Aug. 11 explosion.

After a Dec. 4 meeting between Newstech and OSHA, the agency agreed to cut its proposed fine by 20 percent, from $18,900 to $15,120, George Tomchik, director of the Allentown OSHA office, said.

Officials at the plant have said the blast happened when a mixer that brings together pulp and a bleaching agent ruptured.

Tomchik and Newstech spokesman Ken Robinson said most of the violations have been fixed to OSHA's satisfaction.

"They had probably 90 percent of the items corrected," Tomchik said.

The Dec. 4 agreement is not an admission of wrongdoing, Tomchik said. However, the company recognized the violations and promised to correct them, he said.