Federal workplace safety officials are seeking $43,000 in fines from a Rhode Island wood pellet company for alleged violations related to a 2013 explosion and fire.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Monday that it has cited Inferno Wood Pellet Inc. for 11 violations of safety rules at its East Providence plant.
A worker was injured in the explosion and four-alarm fire on Aug. 20, 2013. Authorities later determined the cause to be combustible wood dust.
Patrick Griffin, the OSHA official in charge of Rhode Island, says proper safeguards could have reduced the risk of the fire.
The company has 15 business days to contest the fine or attempt to negotiate a settlement.
A phone number for the company had been disconnected.
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