ConAgra, contractor fined for violations at Slim Jim plant

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26 violations found after blast at ConAgra plant

The State Department of Labor found 26 serious health and safety violations at ConAgra's Slim Jim plant, leading, in part, to the massive explosion that killed four and injured dozens more in June. ConAgra was fined $134,773, which it could appeal. Energy Systems Analysts, a Hickory company hired to install a commercial water heater at the plant, was cited for 28 serious violations and fined $58,100.

In the citation reports, Labor Department investigators explain how the blast probably occurred.

A contractor, in the presence of ConAgra management, was trying to light a gas-fired water heater inside a pump room. The contract worker had improperly purged a new fuel supply line by removing a pressure gauge, allowing gas to vent into the enclosed room, the report says. The pump room contained motors and circuit panels, any of which could have ignited the deadly blast.

ConAgra fined in deadly blast

The state Department of Labor found 26 serious health and safety violations at Con Agra's Slim Jim plant in Garner, some of which led to the massive explosion in June that killed four and injured dozens more.

ConAgra was fined $134,773 and ordered to correct dozens of problems. Energy Systems Analysts, a Hickory company hired to install a commercial water heater at the plant, was cited for 28 serious violations and fined $58,100.

In the citation reports, Labor Department investigators explain how the blast likely occurred.

Injured ConAgra workers sue contractor

Two workers injured in last week's ConAgra Foods plant explosion are suing the contracting firm they think was responsible for the natural gas leak that sparked it.

The lawsuit, filed late Monday, is the first civil matter to emerge from an explosion that killed three and injured dozens more last week at the plant that makes Slim Jim meat snacks.

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators traced the blast to a pump room where the gas leak occurred. Contractors had been installing water heaters in that area; a circuit breaker or other piece of electronic equipment may have sparked the explosion, an ATF agent said Saturday.

ConAgra workers file lawsuit

Two workers injured in last week's ConAgra Foods plant explosion are suing the contracting firm they think was responsible for the natural gas leak that sparked it.

The lawsuit, filed late today, is the first civil matter to erupt from an explosion that killed three and injured dozens more.

Investigators determined Saturday that a natural gas leak caused the explosion. U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators traced the blast to a pump room, where the gas leak occurred. Contractors had been installing water heaters in that area; a circuit breaker or other piece of electronic equipment may have sparked it, an ATF agent said Saturday.

ConAgra agrees to pay fine, improve safety

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.