Cary Plant Fined $262,000 Following Explosion

OSHA determines locked doors and snow-blocked exits impeded employees from exiting quickly

The federal government fined a suburban aerosol paint manufacturing company Thursday $262,000 Thursday following an explosion and fire in March.

Three workers were injured and 25 nearby businesses evacuated during the incident at Cary's Fox Valley Systems, Inc.

The business faces 26 serious safety violations, according to a statement from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

OSHA placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program and proposed fines of $262,000.

Locked doors impeded exit routes and snow-blocked exits, which slowed employees from exiting the plant quickly, the statement said.

"In part, workers were injured in this tragic explosion because they could not get out quickly because of blocked exit doors," Nick Walters, regional administrator for OSHA in Chicago, said in the statement.

"This is unacceptable for any business, and especially for one handling hazardous materials and chemicals daily," Walters said.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency sought a court order in to close the plant after the accident, alleging substantial danger to the environment, air pollution and water pollution hazards because of the explosion.

McHenry County officials also ordered Fox Valley Systems to secure the damaged facility and present a full analysis and a plan for re-opening after the explosion.

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