U.S. Labor Department Issues Fines for Workplace Dust, Notice on Diacetyl

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal workplace safety officials have announced civil fines imposed on an employer for safety violations and issued a warning for those working with the popcorn flavoring additive diacetyl and diacetyl substitutes.

On Dec. 7, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined U.S. Minerals LLC $396,000 for failing to protect its employees from exposure to high levels of dust.

The proposed fine resulted from 28 separate violations at U.S. Minerals' Coffeen, Ill., facility.

The company is headquartered in Dyer, Ind., and produces abrasive blasting and roofing materials, utilizing slag from coal-fired power …