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Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1659063.015 - R. M. Palmer Company
Inspection Information - Office: Harrisburg Area Office
Site Address:
R. M. Palmer Company
77 South 2nd Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611
Mailing Address:
800 Van Reed Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 311351
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 03/24/2023
Emphasis:
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 2013504 | ||
| Inspection | 1662204 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1662202 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1660600 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1669204 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1664025 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 7 | 10 | |||
| Current Violations | 2 | 8 | 10 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $33,483 | $0 | $0 | $15,464 | $0 | $48,947 |
| Current Penalty | $35,000 | $0 | $0 | $30,464 | $0 | $65,464 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100038 F02 | 09/21/2023 | 10/03/2023 | $20,000 | $15,625 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 19100037 B02 | 09/21/2023 | 10/03/2023 | $15,000 | $8,929 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100305 G02 II | 09/21/2023 | 10/03/2023 | $15,000 | $8,929 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 02001 | Other | 19040029 B02 | 09/21/2023 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 02002 | Other | 19040032 A01 | 07/26/2023 | 08/07/2023 | $2,232 | $2,232 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 02003 | Other | 19040032 B03 | 07/26/2023 | 08/07/2023 | $2,232 | $2,232 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 7. | 02004 | Other | 19040029 B03 | 09/21/2023 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | ||
| 8. | 02005 | Other | 19040040 A | 09/21/2023 | 10/03/2023 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 9. | 02006 | Other | 19101001 J03 I | 09/21/2023 | 10/03/2023 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 10. | 02007 | Other | 19101200 H01 | 09/21/2023 | 10/03/2023 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 10/05/2023 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
At 5:00 p.m. on March 24, 2023, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were in the basement Building #2, which is part of a chocolate novelties manufacturer site, reportedly investigating a gas leak. Employee #3 and Coworker #1 (Contractor) were outside Building #2 observing and getting fresh air due to the gas odor. Employee #4 and Employee #5 were entering the building from the first floor. Employee #6, Employee #7, Employee #8, Employee #9 and Employee #10 were inside the building working preparing to change over production lines. The natural gas buildup in the basement of Building #2 exceeded the LEL and made its way to an ignition source resulting in an explosion. Seven employees including the Plant Manager, HR Director, two Foilers, two Packers and one Maintenance worker were killed. In addition, three employees who worked as a Demolder/Line Tech, a Packer and a Utitilties Laborer, as well as one contractor, were hospitalized. Also, three employees were transported to the hospital, where there were treated and released.
Keywords: Building Collapse, Burn, Collapse, Crushed, Defect, Defective, Electrical, Explosion, Fire, Flying Object, Food processing, Gas, Gas Leak, High Pressure, Ignite, Ignition, Inspecting, Leak, Multi-employer Worksite, Multiemployer, Natural Gas, Smoke, Struck Against, Struck By, Structural Collapse
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1659063.015 | 49 | F | Fatality | ||
| 2 | 1659063.015 | 62 | M | Fatality | ||
| 3 | 1659063.015 | 63 | F | Fatality | ||
| 4 | 1659063.015 | 30 | F | Fatality | ||
| 5 | 1659063.015 | 44 | F | Fatality | ||
| 6 | 1659063.015 | 55 | F | Fatality | ||
| 7 | 1659063.015 | 60 | M | Fatality | ||
| 8 | 1659063.015 | 27 | F | Hospitalized injury | ||
| 9 | 1659063.015 | 21 | M | Hospitalized injury | ||
| 10 | 1659063.015 | 50 | F | Hospitalized injury |