TUMWATER — Washington state regulators have fined Phillips 66 Refinery in Ferndale $324,000 for not correcting serious workplace and safety violations.
The Department of Labor and Industries on Friday cited three cases where the company did not fix previous violations that were issued in late 2014, including ones that involve the refinery’s firefighting systems. The agency said the problems put refinery workers at risk in the event of a fire or explosion.
Phillips 66 spokesman Dennis Nuss said in an email that the company is disappointed. He says they believe “there is a misunderstanding related to the citations” and that the company will work with agency through the appeals process.
Regulators say the 2014 citations are being appealed to a state board, but state law requires employers to correct hazards even if they’re under appeal.
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