San Diego : Plating Firm Fined for Hazardous Spill
A downtown San Diego metal-plating company has agreed to pay $73,550 in penalties for illegally disposing of a plating solution containing cyanide and failing to report a hazardous waste spill.
City Atty. John W. Witt said Sheffield Platers, a 20-employee, family-operated business at 330 W. Date St., admitted several violations of the California Hazardous Waste Control Act in a judgment filed Wednesday in Superior Court.
The case against Sheffield Platers resulted from an investigation that revealed the company negligently released a cyanide solution used in plating operations, improperly attempted to clean up the spill, and failed to follow proper emergency procedures.
In addition to the monetary penalties, the company must obtain a professional certificate in hazardous materials management, and must allow random inspections by regulators.
Witt said evidence implicated the company’s previous owner and manager, Dale Watkins Sr., as “the only truly blameworthy individual.” Because Watkins died before the investigation ended, only civil, not criminal, charges were filed.
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