Boston Company Fined for Ammonia Leak That Killed Former Danvers Man

DANVERS, MA — A South Boston company is responsible for an ammonia leak that led to the death of a former Danvers man, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said.

Friday, OHSA announced that they have determined that the deficient design and lack of proper operation and maintenance for the Stavis Seafoods' ammonia refrigeration system and equipment exposed Brian Caron and other Stavis employees to a catastrophic release of ammonia. In March, the leak was caused by a burst pipe in a company-owned machine.

Caron, formerly of Danvers, died after 5,300 pounds of ammonia spilled before the main valve was shut off and the leak stopped.

Specifically, OSHA said the company failed to take a variety of steps to ensure safety including ensuring that ammonia vapor couldn't spread, test and calibrate ammonia sensors, regually insepct the pressure vessels, label ammonia piping, and provide a ventalition system sufficient to prevent possible combustion or explosion of ammonia vapors resulting from an ammonia release.

For the failures, the company was fined $173,168 for 20 violations. The company has 15 business days to comply, meet with OSHA, or appeal the decision.

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