OSHA fines Stratford company $42,750

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.connpost.com/ci_8059610?source=most_emailed

RICHARD WEIZEL [e-mail]
Article Last Updated: 01/23/2008 11:18:22 PM EST

STRATFORD — A local company faces $42,750 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration after an employee was burned trying to clean up a chemical spill.

Hampford Research Inc., a chemical products manufacturer, has been cited by OSHA for 26 alleged serious safety and health violations at its 54 Veterans Blvd. plant. The company was cited for a total of 32 violations by the federal agency.

The worker suffered leg burns Aug. 9 while trying to clean up a chemical spill caused by a forklift that hit a barrel containing thionyl chloride, a corrosive chemical compound.

"OSHA's inspection found that the plant's plan and procedures for responding to chemical spills was inadequate and incomplete, needlessly exposing responders to injury," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. "We also identified other safety and health hazards associated with a chemical manufacturing environment. All of these conditions must be promptly, thoroughly and effectively addressed and corrected to safeguard employees," he said.

Hampford President Kate Hampford Donahue said Wednesday the family owned business established in 1982 by her late father, Jack Hampford, takes "full responsibility for any violations cited by OSHA.

"We are working very closely with OSHA to resolve all of the issues involved," she said. "Our main goal is to make sure conditions at our plant are safe for our 31 employees. The employee, a chemical v

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