Olin Winchester cited, fined over death of worker last June

East Alton, IL – Olin Winchester has been fined by the federal government over the death of a union worker last June.

Oscar “Zeke” Bettorf, 60, a member of Teamsters Local 525, was killed in an explosion at the Olin Winchester facility in East Alton, Ill. on June 22, 2023. A trailer loaded with shotgun shell primers exploded while being transported within the Olin property, and Bettorf was pronounced dead at the scene.

STATE AND LOCAL INVESTIGATIONS
The explosion was investigated by at least six local, state and federal agencies. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has listed multiple violations over the years at Olin, including a $50,000 fine in 2019 for mishandling hazardous energy and 10 separate violations in 2015.

According to OSHA’s report, an employee was moving the trailer filled with seven carts of shot shell primer material from one zone to another. Two coworkers loaded the primer from two ovens onto portable carts, which they locked into the semi-trailer.

The report noted that the weather was warm and dry, and the loading dock was located outdoors.

Bettorf was operating the truck alone and had pulled approximately 100 feet from the dock when he made a turn and an explosion occurred inside the trailer. He was ejected from the cab and pinned under the truck, according to the report, and died due to the pressure wave with heat and flying debris.

FAILED TO PERFORM PROCESS HAZARD ANALYSIS
The U.S. Department of Labor confirmed that OSHA has issued a single violation to Olin Winchester for failing to perform an initial process hazard analysis associated with loading primer-containing buggies into the semi-trailers for transport.

The citation became a final order on Jan. 16 and Olin did not dispute it, according to Scott Allen, regional director for public affairs and media relations.

Allen confirmed that Olin Winchester has already paid the full penalty and provided documentation of corrective measures.

‘NO AMOUNT OF MONEY’
Local 525 Secretary-Treasurer Brett Wessel said the local expresses its sympathy for Bettorf’s family, and that “no fine or amount of money can make the family whole in the tragic accident that occurred for our member and his family.”