Santa Fe Springs : Refinery Fined $25,000 for Failing to Report Acid Leak
The Santa Fe Springs Fire Department has fined Powerine Oil Co. $25,000, the maximum allowed by law, for failing to report a chemical leak that injured seven workers.
The incident occurred Jan. 13 when a corroded pipe holding toxic hydrofluoric acid mixed with hydrocarbon burst, spewing dangerous vapors into the air. Fire officials learned of the accident several days later from a nurse at the hospital where the injured workers were taken.
Powerine officials could not be reached for comment, but A. L. Gualtieri, president of the refinery, has said he did not think the incident was serious enough to report it to the Fire Department.
John Hunter, an environmental protection specialist and consultant to the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department, said that according to state law any significant leak must be reported. “Their feeling was that it wasn’t significant. Our feeling is that when people are injured, it is,” Hunter said.
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