Tagged: fines

A chemical company that makes vinyl chloride has been slapped with fines for safety and health violations.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said on Thursday that it cited the Westlake Vinyls Co. for 10 safety and health violations. The fines total $67,000. The company can contest.

Jack Turner, the acting director for OSHA in Baton Rouge, said Westlake Vinyls "exposed its employees to avoidable workplace hazards that can cause serious injury and possible death."

Criminal fines are allowing the state Department of Environmental Quality and state police to buy air monitoring equipment, vehicles, clothing, safety goggles and first aid kits.

Tim Knight, administrator of DEQ's assessment division, tells The Advocate the $1 million in fines allows the state to purchase the items.

HOUMA — The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans says a Houma towboat company must pay $525,000 in fines and penalties after pleading guilty to violating federal environmental regulations.

The Courier reports that Cenac Towing violated the Clean Water Act between June 2008 and January 2010 by failing to collect samples of the raw sewage discharged by its former yard. 

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu says a transportation bill that Congress is close to approving includes a provision to steer 80 percent of the fines BP PLC is expected to pay in water pollution penalties stemming from the Gulf oil spill to pay for restoration in five Gulf states.