OSHA Cites Seqens Plant for Preventable Explosion Resulting in Worker's Death

Investigation reveals lack of safeguards and safety management deficiencies; $298,254 in penalties proposed.

OSHA has found that the explosion at the Seqens plant in Massachusetts, which resulted in the death of one worker, could have been prevented.
The investigation revealed that Seqens and its subsidiary PolyCarbon Industries Inc. lacked safeguards in the chemical-making process and had deficiencies in their safety management program for highly hazardous chemicals.
The company did not determine the combustibility hazards of materials used in the production of the chemical Dekon 139 and did not include safe upper and lower temperature limits to prevent its decomposition.
OSHA has cited both companies with 11 violations, including eight serious ones, and proposed $298,254 in penalties.
The Seqens plant has a history of problems, including a chemical fire in 2021 and a series of explosions in 2020 due to a chemical reaction.