Plant where 4 died to resume production

Friday, June 17, 2011, Vol. 35, No. 24

GALLATIN (AP) — A Gallatin, Tenn., chemical plant where four workers have died in fires this year will resume partial production this week.

Officials at the Hoeganaes plant did not specify which day and said production in other areas of the facility is expected to restart over the coming weeks after reviews.

The four died in three flash fires, most recently in late May. The company employs about 180 in the manufacture of metal powder for automotive and industrial uses.

The company said in a news release Wednesday that it has made a complete safety review of the plant.

Hoeganaes, based in Cinnaminson, N.J., has blamed an electrical fault, a hydrogen leak and other factors for the fires. Independent investigators said flammable dust contributed.