OSHA cites Illinois company after 2 worker deaths in Pekin

PEKIN, Ill. (AP) - A federal agency has filed violations against an Illinois agricultural products company after two workers died at its Pekin facility.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Wednesday said Springfield-based Agridyne LLC has been placed in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The workers, one age 37 and one age 29, died June 24. The agency says one worker was overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas while cleaning a rail car. The second worker was overcome while trying to rescue the first worker. Both workers died.

OSHA cited the company with three willful and eight serious safety violations and has proposed $266,000 in fines.

A woman who answered the phone at Agridyne on Wednesday said company officials were not available to comment.