Deaths of four workers prompts deeper look at DuPont Safety Practices

Courtesy of US Department of Labor

Contacts: Lauren North, 202-693-4655, north.lauren.a@dol.gov
                  Juan Rodriguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

LA PORTE, Texas – In November 2014, a worker was overcome at a DuPont chemical manufacturing facility when a supply line unexpectedly released more than 20,000 lbs. of methyl mercaptan, a deadly chemical. Three co-workers came to the worker’s aid in an attempted rescue, but all four were asphyxiated fatally by the colorless, flammable, and highly toxic gas.

After the initial investigation into the four deaths, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found hazards that prompted the inspection at the facility to be expanded under the National Emphasis Program for chemical facilities … more