OSHA fines REG $70,000 for “willful” safety violations at Geismar plant

In Georgia, the Occupational Safety and Hazard Agency has fined the Renewable Energy Group $70,000 with three “willful” safety violations— demonstrating “intentional disregard” or “plain indifference” to employee safety and health—over the September 2015 hydrogen explosion at its biodiesel plant in Geismar that injured four workers including one who was severely burned. The company disagrees with the agency’s characterization of the violations and says it has been working with OSHA and other authorities investigating the explosion