Create a free Manufacturing.net account to continue

DuPont Restarting Production At Virginia Plant

Company began restarting idled chemical plant in Belle after halting operations last month over series of leaks, including one that led to the death of a worker.

BELLE, W.Va. (AP) -- DuPont says it's begun restarting its idled chemical plant in Belle.

The company halted operations last month after a series of leaks, including one that led to the death of a worker.

Spokesman Roger Hess said Tuesday most units that weren't involved in the leaks have been restarted. Hess says DuPont plans to continue starting operations in stages.

Hess says investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, state Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are inspecting equipment and reviewing operating procedures.

One operation isn't restarting. A 2009 settlement with the EPA, U.S. Department of Justice and the state required the permanent shutdown of a sulfuric acid recovery unit by the end of this month.

More in Operations