FERNDALE, Wash. (AP) - Phillips 66 is appealing a $37,800 fine for a toxic acid leak at a refinery near Bellingham that sent seven workers to a hospital in February.
The Bellingham Herald reported Friday (https://goo.gl/ayA3NM ) the company appealed the fine from the Washington Department of Labor & Industries. The company also appealed the agency designation of the violations as “serious.”
The agency fined the company $6,300 each for six violations.
Among its findings, L&I said Phillips “did not implement safe work practices for the control of hazards for the employees” and the company “did not inform the contract employer of the known potential fire, explosion or toxic release hazards related to the contractor’s work and the process.”
Phillips disagreed, saying a contractor was at fault.
Officials say a hearings officer will decide the matter by late August.
The refinery processes domestic and foreign crude oils.
___
Information from: The Bellingham Herald, https://www.bellinghamherald.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.