OSHA Hearing Scheduled in Georgia on Imperial Sugar Explosion

A hearing is scheduled for May 18 in Savannah on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s attempt to fine Imperial Sugar Co. $8.8 million.

Explosions and a fire killed 14 people and injured many others at Imperial’s Port Wentworth, Ga. refinery in 2008.

OSHA issued 124 citations at Port Wentworth. Then it inspected the company’s Gramercy, La. plant, issued 97 citations and declared there was imminent danger of an explosion there.

Imperial appealed the fines to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, which is holding the hearing.

OSHA says there were 69 allegedly willful violations at Port Wentworth and 49 at Gramercy. The company denies any willful violations.