BC-IL--Paint Plant-Safety Violations,129

OSHA cites Cary paint company for safety problems

CARY, Ill. (AP) — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a northern Illinois paint company for dozens of alleged safety violations following an explosion and fire.

Three employees of Fox Valley Systems Inc. were seriously injured in the March accident at the Cary, Ill. plant after flammable vapors ignited in the production facility.

OSHA said Thursday it found 26 safety violations — including locked and blocked exits. Investigators say one employee had to crawl beneath conveyor lines and past a pallet of materials while his clothes were burning to get to a door — only to find it latched from the outside and blocked by snow.

The agency also is proposing penalties of $262,000.

Fox Valley Systems may contest the fine and violations. The company's voice mailbox was full late Thursday.