CHARLES CITY -- Cambrex must pay a $6,375 fine in the wake of a fire that severely injured an employee.
The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the incident that happened on Oct. 26, 2007, at the Charles City plant. The agency determined the company supplied insufficient training to employees related to debris cleanup the morning after the fire and inadequate notification and documentation of possible hazards for visitors.
Seventy to 80 percent of Rick Sinnwell's body was burned during the fire. Five other people were treated for smoke inhalation.
The plant was in the process of manufacturing a poultry feed additive when a flash fire occurred. The fire began in the area of a newly installed paddle dryer in a contained room. A sprinkler system extinguished the fire with assistance from the Charles City Fire Department.
Since the accident, Cambrex has completed training of all operations personnel in emergency response and post-emergency response at the facility, according to a statement from the company released this week. Prior to the fire, the training was completed on a more limited basis.
Posted in Regional on Friday, October 10, 2008 12:00 am
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