Hungary Fines MOL Petrochemicals Over Safety Lapses After Deadly Plant Explosion
Authorities ordered the company to pay $120,000 for failing to ensure proper safety procedures that contributed to a May blast.
Hungarian authorities have fined MOL Petrochemicals for safety lapses connected to a fatal explosion at a chemical plant in May. The company was ordered to pay 38 million forints ($120,000) by Hungary's occupational safety authority.
The investigation found that MOL Petrochemicals failed to ensure proper safety procedures at its plant in Tiszaújváros, in eastern Hungary. The blast occurred during the restart of the facility's Olefin-1 unit, which produces raw materials for the plastics industry. The incident resulted in the death of one worker and serious injuries to four others, with seven more sustaining minor injuries.
Authorities determined that the affected parts of the plant lacked adequate safety equipment to detect and signal dangerous conditions, and to allow for a safe shutdown if necessary. No official charges have been leveled against MOL Petrochemicals.
As a result of the investigation, the company was also instructed to review the plant's safety systems and conduct regular maintenance on pipelines and other equipment.