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Published Tue, Jan 12, 2010 11:26 AM
Modified Tue, Jan 12, 2010 11:48 AM

ConAgra agrees to pay fine, improve safety

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From Staff Reports

GARNER -- ConAgra Foods has agreed to pay a $106,440 fine and take several steps to improve safety at its Slim Jim plant in Garner as a result of the explosion in June that killed four and injured dozens more.

The state Department of Labor found 26 serious health and safety violations at the plant and initially fined the company nearly $135,000. As a result of the settlement announced today, the company waived its right to contest the citations or the penalties.

Among other things, ConAgra agreed to prescreen the safety compliance records of contractors working at the plant and to work with them in advance to address potential safety and health hazards.

Investigators say the explosion occurred as a contractor was trying to light a gas-fired water heater inside a pump room at the plant. A contract worker had improperly purged a new fuel supply line by removing a pressure gauge, allowing gas to vent into the enclosed room, according to the labor department.

The labor department has also cited the contractor hired to install the water heater, Energy Systems Analysts of Hickory, and fined it $58,100. That matter is still pending.

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