OSHA fines the Texas Panhandle Foundation $42,000

AMARILLO, TX (KFDA) - Seven months after a 'Texas' worker was killed in an explosion, OSHA has fined the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation $42,000.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection on July 31, 2015 following the fireworks explosion at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, Texas.

21-year-old Peyton Trueblood was killed while taking an inventory of the pyrotechnics for the outdoor musical production.

OSHA issued six serious citations following the inspection, including failing to train workers on the use of explosives, providing fire retardant clothing, performing a hazard assessment, and developing a written hazard communication program.

 "A 21-year-old worker, with three months of work experience under her belt, lost her life because Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation failed to provide appropriate training and protective equipment to workers handling pyrotechnics," said Elizabeth Linda Routh, OSHA's area director in Lubbock.

The Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation was unable to comment but they did issue a statement that said "we are still deeply saddened by the death of one of our crew members."

Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply (abate the violations and pay the penalties), request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The State Fire Marshal is still issuing the cause of the accident as undetermined.

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