Washington Fines Fireworks Company for Safety Problems

The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries has fined a fireworks plant $1,200 for safety violations after investigating a fatal explosion this past June.

Entertainment Fireworks produces professional fireworks shows around the region. A 75-year-old man died of his injuries after an explosion in Tenino and two others were injured.

State officials say company employees were not following all the safety requirements for transferring explosive shells, which they believe could have prevented or minimized the explosion.

State safety inspectors also said the company wasn’t sufficiently training its workers.

The company’s vice president of operations, Ken Julian, said they will not be appealing the fine. Julian called the Labor & Industries investigation fair and said they will head their advice.

The fatal explosion was the first major accident in the company’s 19-year history.