View this article online: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/west/2013/12/30/242195.htm
A Missoula, Mont., auto body shop has reached a settlement agreement with a federal work safety agency after an August fire killed a shop employee and injured another.
The Missoulian reports the settlement calls for Rick’s Auto Body to pay a $36,000 fine for numerous safety violations discovered after an explosion and fire killed 44-year-old Bruce Hall.
An investigation found Hall was pouring lacquer from a barrel into a smaller container through a funnel when the fumes exploded, in part due to lack of adequate ventilation.
OSHA initially proposed $51,100 in fines for fire and explosion hazards.
Jeff Funke, OSHA area director in Billings, says the shop owner has undertaken corrective actions “above and beyond the OSHA standard.”