Feds Recommend $917,000 in Fines for Mass. Plant

The federal workplace safety agency has recommended $917,000 in fines for a Massachusetts adhesives manufacturer after an explosion there injured four workers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday announced it had cited Bostik Inc. for what it alleged were 50 violations of workplace safety standards at its plant in Middleton.

Officials say a valve was accidentally left open in March, causing acetone vapors to fill the building and ignite. The four injured workers are back on the job.

The agency says it identified several “willful violations” by Bostik, including using equipment unapproved for places where flammable gases or vapors were present.

The Wauwatosa, Wis.-based Bostik says it is reviewing the findings and has upgraded the plant since the incident. It has 15 business days to comply, meet OSHA’s area director or contest the findings.