$600K OSHA Settlement in Massachusetts Plant Blast

The Labor Department says it has reached a $600,000 settlement with adhesives manufacturer Bostik, Inc., over workplace safety citations related to a March 2011 explosion at its plant north of Boston.

Four workers had nonlife-threatening injuries. Investigators said a valve had accidentally been left open, causing acetone vapors to fill the building and ignite. The explosion rattled a surrounding neighborhood, and damaged two buildings at the plant complex in Middleton.

In announcing the settlement Thursday, the Labor Department said Bostik has taken corrective measures and will continue to do so. A message seeking comment was left for the company.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration had proposed fines of $917,000 last fall. Bostik said then it had upgraded the plant since the incident.