Federal safety inspectors have cited Bio-Lab Inc. after a chemical fire at its Conyers, Georgia, facility was traced to improperly stored hazardous materials.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found the September 2024 fire began in a company warehouse storing various chemicals. Following an investigation, OSHA issued four serious and two other-than-serious violations and proposed $61,473 in penalties.
Chemical storage failures led to fire
According to OSHA, the company failed to follow required safety practices for handling and storing hazardous chemicals. The violations reflect concerns about hazard communication, storage conditions, and workplace safety procedures.
“Employers handling hazardous substances must take all necessary precautions to protect workers and prevent potentially catastrophic events,” said OSHA officials.
Bio-Lab has 15 business days from receiving the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA urges better chemical safety compliance
The agency continues to stress the importance of chemical hazard awareness and compliance with federal safety standards. OSHA provides free resources to help employers identify risks, train workers, and implement safety protocols to reduce exposure to hazardous substances.
