OSHA has levied more than 17-thousand dollars in fines again the Cairo COOP in connection with the February explosion that ripped through the grain elevator in Arlington injuring one person.

The OSHA investigation found numerous safety violations, although only a few are directly related to the explosion itself. Those violations include, failing to control dust in the elevator and improper wiring in some areas of the structure. It was those violations that likely lead to the explosion itself.

The elevator also failed to have proper guards in place on equipment and hand railings or restraints for employees in the upper areas of the elevator.

The COOP was fined a total of $14,168.00 for those violations. The company was also fined $3,465.00 for not properly fitting employees with respirators while working in the elevator and for not having a set of procedures for wearing the breathing equipment.

The COOP agreed with the findings, and agreed to pay the penalty.