A federal safety agency has proposed fining a Wisconsin company more than $449,000 for allegedly failing to adequately protect workers from hazardous chemicals.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Fontarome Chemical Inc. of St. Francis for 23 alleged safety and health violations.

OSHA initiated an inspection in December 2013 after the company allegedly failed to fix hazards following an April 2012 fire at the pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

Among the alleged violations are failure to establish safe operating procedures and failure to develop safety information for equipment.

Since OSHA initiated the inspection, the company has been sold. In April, SFM Investments LLC became primary owners of the company, now operating as Apiscent Labs.

A company official did not immediately return The Associated Press’s phone message for comment on June 11.

Release Date: June 12, 2014
Source: The Associated Press