Business and Finance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Wednesday that it is seeking a $1.2 million fine against St. Louis-based G.S. Robins & Co. due to workplace safety violations.

An investigation was triggered by an incident in August when eight employees had to be hospitalized after being exposed to poisonous chemicals at the St. Louis company’s Ro-Corp facility in East St. Louis.

Specialty chemical supplier G.S. Robins & Co. has 15 business days to respond to the 21 citations issued by OSHA.

The company plans to seek an informal conference with OSHA’s area director to further review the citations, said Eric Kowalewski, vice president of operations for G payday loans for bad credit.S. Robins.
OSHA’s investigation found employees were exposed to the chemical para-nitroaniline, which is packaged at the plant. The chemical can attack the respiratory system and get into the bloodstream. OSHA found the company failed to provide employees with safety training and correct protective equipment.

Kowalewski said all employees involved in the incident returned to work and have had no related ongoing medical concerns.

— CHRISTOPHER BOYCE

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