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Labor Officials Probe Apex Chemical Explosion APEX—The N.C. Department of Labor has deployed a team of six workplace safety and health experts to look into the events leading up to the catastrophic chemical explosion at Environmental Quality Co. last week. Labor officials on Saturday started the interview process of the investigation, talking with company employees and management. Investigators also will interview members of emergency response teams that rushed to the scene at the hazardous waste management facility. The labor department, the state’s regulatory agency on workplace accidents, is responsible for investigating the cause of Thursday’s accident. The investigation will focus on whether or not the company took proper steps to ensure the safety and well-being of workers. State law establishes standards for handling hazardous chemicals, hazardous waste operations and emergency response. Serious violations may result in fines of up to $7,000 per violation. “We’ve been at the site since early Friday morning, primarily helping first responders with safety equipment and advice,” state Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “Over the weekend we refocused our efforts and began the investigation into exactly what happened and if worker safety and health standards were violated.” Labor officials expect the investigation to be complex and could take anywhere from three months to six months. In North Carolina, the state Department of Labor is responsible for
the enforcement of what are known as the OSHA standards. OSHA stands
for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
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