Verso Paper Corp. Fined for Fatal Explosion/Fire

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Verso Paper Corp. for the explosion and fire that killed one employee and injured four others at its Sartell paper plant last May.

A state fire marshal's investigation found an overheated compressor led to the explosion and fire that killed Jon Maus. Plant employees, doing routine maintenance, shut down a well that provided water to cool the plant's compressors on the day of the accident.

OSHA issued two serious safety citations against Verso and issued a fine of $39,200.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry spokesman James Honerman tells the St. Cloud Times the company paid the fine without contesting it.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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