OSHA cites JCG Farms in Rockmart, Georgia feed mill and contractors after dust explosion kills 1, injures 5
Companies cited for serious violations; $112K in fines proposed
ROCKMART, Ga. –
In the agricultural industry, excessive dust is a fuel that can cause
serious and sometimes deadly explosions and fires – as was the case at a
Georgia chicken feed mill where an explosion killed a 25-year-old man
and injured five others in February 2016, federal workplace safety
inspectors have found.
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that JCG Farms in Rockmart violated safety standards that could have prevented the tragedy. Federal inspectors determined excessive accumulation of grain dust in the hammer mill area ignited and the explosion killed one worker and sent five others to area hospitals. The blast caused excessive damage to the building and closed the feed mill.
On July 22, OSHA issued citations to JCG Farms of Alabama LLC, doing business as Koch Farms of Collinsville, A to J Electrical Services and D. Sims Inc. for 23 safety and health violations.
“It is tragic that despite wide industry awareness of these hazards, that some employers remain unaware of the common hazards of combustible dust,” said Christi Griffin, OSHA’s area director in the Atlanta-West Office. “This incident and this man’s death were preventable. JCG Farms needs to take a proactive approach in their safety and health program to assess the workplace for hazards and correct them to ensure worker safety.”
JCG feed mill’s parent company is Koch Foods Inc. which employs approximately 14,000 workers nationwide. Koch Foods is a leading poultry producer with headquarters in Chicago. JCG Farms’ feed mill is part of Koch Foods Eastern Region based in Collinsville, Alabama. JCG Farms contracts with A to J Electric and D. Sims to perform various work at the facility.
OSHA cited JCG for 15 serious and five other-than-serious safety and health violations.
The agency found JCG:
JCG contracted the Atlanta-based A to J Electrical Services to perform electrical, mechanical and maintenance work at the facility. OSHA issued the company one serious violation for not informing workers of the fire and explosion hazards associated with their work.
The agency also issued citations to D. Sims Inc. of Cohutta, Georgia, for one serious and one other-than-serious violation for not training workers on common ignition sources for dust and failing to provide employees using disposable dust masks with information in Appendix D of the respirator standard. The contractor provides housekeeping purposes at the facility.
Proposed penalties for the three companies total $112,600. Citations can be viewed at:
To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Atlanta-West Area Office at 678-903-7301.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that JCG Farms in Rockmart violated safety standards that could have prevented the tragedy. Federal inspectors determined excessive accumulation of grain dust in the hammer mill area ignited and the explosion killed one worker and sent five others to area hospitals. The blast caused excessive damage to the building and closed the feed mill.
On July 22, OSHA issued citations to JCG Farms of Alabama LLC, doing business as Koch Farms of Collinsville, A to J Electrical Services and D. Sims Inc. for 23 safety and health violations.
“It is tragic that despite wide industry awareness of these hazards, that some employers remain unaware of the common hazards of combustible dust,” said Christi Griffin, OSHA’s area director in the Atlanta-West Office. “This incident and this man’s death were preventable. JCG Farms needs to take a proactive approach in their safety and health program to assess the workplace for hazards and correct them to ensure worker safety.”
JCG feed mill’s parent company is Koch Foods Inc. which employs approximately 14,000 workers nationwide. Koch Foods is a leading poultry producer with headquarters in Chicago. JCG Farms’ feed mill is part of Koch Foods Eastern Region based in Collinsville, Alabama. JCG Farms contracts with A to J Electric and D. Sims to perform various work at the facility.
OSHA cited JCG for 15 serious and five other-than-serious safety and health violations.
The agency found JCG:
- Exposed employees to fire and explosion hazards due to the build-up of combustible dust.
- Failed to post warning signs to inform workers of fire and explosion hazards.
- Exposed workers to being caught-in machinery.
- Failed to develop or implement an emergency action plan.
- Failed to train employees to recognize hazards such as fire, explosion associated with combustible dust.
- Did not implement a written housekeeping program to reduce the accumulation of grain dust.
- Exposed workers to electric shock hazards.
JCG contracted the Atlanta-based A to J Electrical Services to perform electrical, mechanical and maintenance work at the facility. OSHA issued the company one serious violation for not informing workers of the fire and explosion hazards associated with their work.
The agency also issued citations to D. Sims Inc. of Cohutta, Georgia, for one serious and one other-than-serious violation for not training workers on common ignition sources for dust and failing to provide employees using disposable dust masks with information in Appendix D of the respirator standard. The contractor provides housekeeping purposes at the facility.
Proposed penalties for the three companies total $112,600. Citations can be viewed at:
- http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JCGFarmsofAlabamaLLCdbaKochFarmsofCollinsville_1123539.pdf
- http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/JCGFarmsofAlabamaLLCdbaKochFarmsofCollinsville_1126086.pdf
- http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/AtoJElectricalServicesInc_1131701.pdf
- http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/DSimsInc_1129101.pdf
To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Atlanta-West Area Office at 678-903-7301.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
OSHA News Release:
08/01/2016
===============
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
ATF officials inspect damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
A car lies crushed Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, following an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
by Kevin Myrick
A build-up of dust is the likely cause of an explosion at the JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart, according to initial findings by the local, state and federal investigators.
Meanwhile, flags were lowered to half staff above the plant to honor Justin Deems, who was killed in the explosion in the early morning hours of Feb. 7.
Click here for a map to JCG Farms in Rockmart
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen said Monday that one of the five employees injured in the blast was still at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, but he did not have an immediate update on his condition. The others, including one who had been transferred to Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, have been treated and released.
Rockmart firefighters, state fire marshal’s investigators and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms worked at the site all last week to determine what caused the explosion.
Their initial findings point to built-up dust within the feed plant, set off in a series of explosions, according to a press release from the combined agencies.
“The area of origin was at the base of a concrete tower near the receiving area,” the release stated. “The exact cause has not been determined.”
The release stated that though no criminal activity is believed to have been involved, the investigation would continue forward in the weeks to come as they track down the series of events.
Queen has said it would likely take weeks, maybe months, to get a complete picture of what happened.
=======================
$3 million in damage reported at JCG Farms after explosion that killed 1, injured 5
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Rockmart Plant
Debris landed outside of the fence at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart after an explosion. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Rockmart Plant
A fire truck and ATF vehicle sit in front of the JCG Farms feed mill facility on Ga. 101 in Rockmart on Monday, Feb. 8., 2016. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
The collapsed roof of a portion of the JCG Farms feed mill facility in Rockmart is visible behind the caution tape and fire truck on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, a day after an explosion killed one employee and injured five others. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
The JCG Farms feed mill facility rises above the trees off oc Ga. 101 in Rockmart on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, a day after an explosion at the plant sent out a shock wave that rattled buildings two miles while killing an employee and injuring five others. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
The JCG Farms feed mill facility rises above the trees off oc Ga. 101 in Rockmart on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, a day after an explosion at the plant sent out a shock wave that rattled buildings two miles while killing an employee and injuring five others. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
Coverings at the bottom of three large silo towers at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart were blown off following an explosion early Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at the plant. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Rockmart Plant
Fire officials were back on site to start searching for evidence of what caused an explosion early Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Posted: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 7:00 am
by Kristina Wilder
Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said there was “about $3 million worth of damage” at the JCG Farms feed plant in Rockmart from the explosion that killed one man and wounded five others.
The ATF’s national response team was on site Monday and officials with the Atlanta field office expect the investigation could continue for several weeks.
The ATF, the Rockmart Fire Department and the state fire marshal are working together on the investigation.
“We have resources to help in clearing the site, such as heavy machinery,” said Nero Priester, a public information officer with the ATF’s Atlanta field office.
The response team is comprised of specialists such as veteran agents, forensic mappers, dogs that can detect accelerant and engineers, Priester explained.
The $3 million worth of damage done to JCG Farms includes heavy structural damage to the warehouse, plant and offices, Priester said.
“We know there were seven workers in the plant at the time, plus a security guard,” he said. “All of these people are accounted for. One man died at the scene and five were transported to the hospital. I know one man was taken to the Grady Burn Center and was listed in serious condition (Monday).”
Justin Deems, 25, of Rockmart, was killed during the explosion that rocked the plant on Ga. 101 around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Polk County Coroner Tony Brazier.
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen provided the names of four of the injured men — Randy Dodd, James Lentz, Dallas Holcombe and Tyler Morgan — but said he had not had a chance to complete all the reports as of Monday afternoon.
Polk County Emergency Management Director Randy Lacey said 911 operators received multiple calls about the explosion, some from at least two miles away.
“When I arrived at the scene Sunday morning, the firefighters told me that the explosion woke them up. And the department is about a mile away from the plant,” he added. “A lot of people who called into 911 said they thought it was an earthquake.”
Lacey said when he arrived on the scene, he saw the results of a “powerful explosion.” A few spot-fires were put out quickly, but one fire from a gas main burned inside the plant until the gas company arrived and shut off the supply to the building, he said.
“I was told that if this had happened during the week, there could have been about 35 people there working,” Lacey said. “I’ve worked as an emergency responder for many years in other counties, so I have seen things like this before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything of this magnitude in Polk County.”
Investigators are searching for the cause of the explosion, but there is not a timeframe for when the answer will be available, Priester said.
Officials at Alabama-based JCG Farms did not return calls for comment Monday.
=============
2 still in Atlanta hospitals as ATF, officials search through JCG Farms explosion debris
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
Damage is widespread Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, following an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
A car lies crushed Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, following an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
ATF officials inspect damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
Only part of the damage of a building collapse caused by an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart can be seen from the front of the site Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
ATF on scene at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms brought their National Response Team's mobile command unit to Rockmart's JCG Farms Feed Mill on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, to help with technical aspects of the investigation. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Kevin Myrick/SJ
JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
Officials kept warm with a fire in a metal drum while others looked at exterior damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in the first major day of work on the investigation into what caused an explosion at the plant over the weekend. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 11:00 am
by Kevin Myrick
ROCKMART — Winter weather made it difficult for investigators to work at JCG Farms Feed Mill, but the investigation continued Tuesday into what caused a deadly explosion at the Rockmart facility early Sunday morning.
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen said the investigation was started in earnest after more agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrived Monday night to join the effort.
Click here for a map to the explosion site.
Queen said they had not yet found any indications of a cause yet, and said it is too early in the investigation to speculate.
“It’s still fairly early. As with any fire investigation, everything is on the table,” Queen said. “As we begin to go through the investigation process, we can rule out some causes and focus more on others. … We’re looking at everything.”
Queen said it would likely take weeks, maybe months, to get a complete picture of what happened.
To help complete that picture, the ATF has sent several agents to help.
Nero Priester, a senior special agent for the ATF and the public information officer for the Atlanta Field Division, said 20 agents are on scene from the agency’s National Response Team.
A mobile command center has been set up to provide technical resources on site.
“We have a wide array of people with various specialties on site to help with events like this,” Priester said.
The team will help generate what is called a Cause of Origin report, and will initially try to find any evidence of intentional sparking of the plant explosion.
“Primarily what we try to do is rule out unnatural causes first, anything like arson or the use of an explosive device,” Priester said. “Once we rule out those things, we start to look for the accidental causes.”
Queen said two problems were hindering efforts: the cold and wintry weather, and not being able to move freely inside the plant with what he called “significant damage.”
He said several areas inside the plant are dangerous because of the damage caused by the explosion, including one building that suffered a complete collapse.
Flags atop the silos at the plant were set at half staff Tuesday for 25-year-old Justin Deems, who was killed in the explosion.
Two others remain hospitalized for their injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Queen said.
Three others who were sent to Rome area hospitals following Sunday’s explosion were treated and released, Queen said.
Queen did say that officials from JCG Farms have been cooperating fully with investigators.
“They’ve provided all the information that we’ve asked for, and have been very helpful to us,” Queen said.
===============
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
ATF officials inspect damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
A car lies crushed Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, following an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Posted: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
by Kevin Myrick
A build-up of dust is the likely cause of an explosion at the JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart, according to initial findings by the local, state and federal investigators.
Meanwhile, flags were lowered to half staff above the plant to honor Justin Deems, who was killed in the explosion in the early morning hours of Feb. 7.
Click here for a map to JCG Farms in Rockmart
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen said Monday that one of the five employees injured in the blast was still at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, but he did not have an immediate update on his condition. The others, including one who had been transferred to Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, have been treated and released.
Rockmart firefighters, state fire marshal’s investigators and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms worked at the site all last week to determine what caused the explosion.
Their initial findings point to built-up dust within the feed plant, set off in a series of explosions, according to a press release from the combined agencies.
“The area of origin was at the base of a concrete tower near the receiving area,” the release stated. “The exact cause has not been determined.”
The release stated that though no criminal activity is believed to have been involved, the investigation would continue forward in the weeks to come as they track down the series of events.
Queen has said it would likely take weeks, maybe months, to get a complete picture of what happened.
=======================
$3 million in damage reported at JCG Farms after explosion that killed 1, injured 5
Story
Comments
Image (7) Print Create a hardcopy of this page Font Size: Default font size Larger font size
Rockmart Plant
Debris landed outside of the fence at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart after an explosion. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Rockmart Plant
A fire truck and ATF vehicle sit in front of the JCG Farms feed mill facility on Ga. 101 in Rockmart on Monday, Feb. 8., 2016. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
The collapsed roof of a portion of the JCG Farms feed mill facility in Rockmart is visible behind the caution tape and fire truck on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, a day after an explosion killed one employee and injured five others. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
The JCG Farms feed mill facility rises above the trees off oc Ga. 101 in Rockmart on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, a day after an explosion at the plant sent out a shock wave that rattled buildings two miles while killing an employee and injuring five others. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
The JCG Farms feed mill facility rises above the trees off oc Ga. 101 in Rockmart on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, a day after an explosion at the plant sent out a shock wave that rattled buildings two miles while killing an employee and injuring five others. (Jeremy Stewart/RN-T.com)
Rockmart Plant
Coverings at the bottom of three large silo towers at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart were blown off following an explosion early Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at the plant. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Rockmart Plant
Fire officials were back on site to start searching for evidence of what caused an explosion early Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Posted: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 7:00 am
by Kristina Wilder
Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said there was “about $3 million worth of damage” at the JCG Farms feed plant in Rockmart from the explosion that killed one man and wounded five others.
The ATF’s national response team was on site Monday and officials with the Atlanta field office expect the investigation could continue for several weeks.
The ATF, the Rockmart Fire Department and the state fire marshal are working together on the investigation.
“We have resources to help in clearing the site, such as heavy machinery,” said Nero Priester, a public information officer with the ATF’s Atlanta field office.
The response team is comprised of specialists such as veteran agents, forensic mappers, dogs that can detect accelerant and engineers, Priester explained.
The $3 million worth of damage done to JCG Farms includes heavy structural damage to the warehouse, plant and offices, Priester said.
“We know there were seven workers in the plant at the time, plus a security guard,” he said. “All of these people are accounted for. One man died at the scene and five were transported to the hospital. I know one man was taken to the Grady Burn Center and was listed in serious condition (Monday).”
Justin Deems, 25, of Rockmart, was killed during the explosion that rocked the plant on Ga. 101 around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Polk County Coroner Tony Brazier.
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen provided the names of four of the injured men — Randy Dodd, James Lentz, Dallas Holcombe and Tyler Morgan — but said he had not had a chance to complete all the reports as of Monday afternoon.
Polk County Emergency Management Director Randy Lacey said 911 operators received multiple calls about the explosion, some from at least two miles away.
“When I arrived at the scene Sunday morning, the firefighters told me that the explosion woke them up. And the department is about a mile away from the plant,” he added. “A lot of people who called into 911 said they thought it was an earthquake.”
Lacey said when he arrived on the scene, he saw the results of a “powerful explosion.” A few spot-fires were put out quickly, but one fire from a gas main burned inside the plant until the gas company arrived and shut off the supply to the building, he said.
“I was told that if this had happened during the week, there could have been about 35 people there working,” Lacey said. “I’ve worked as an emergency responder for many years in other counties, so I have seen things like this before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything of this magnitude in Polk County.”
Investigators are searching for the cause of the explosion, but there is not a timeframe for when the answer will be available, Priester said.
Officials at Alabama-based JCG Farms did not return calls for comment Monday.
=============
2 still in Atlanta hospitals as ATF, officials search through JCG Farms explosion debris
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
Damage is widespread Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, following an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
A car lies crushed Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, following an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
ATF officials inspect damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
Only part of the damage of a building collapse caused by an explosion at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart can be seen from the front of the site Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
ATF on scene at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms brought their National Response Team's mobile command unit to Rockmart's JCG Farms Feed Mill on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, to help with technical aspects of the investigation. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Kevin Myrick/SJ
JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart
Officials kept warm with a fire in a metal drum while others looked at exterior damage at JCG Farms Feed Mill in Rockmart on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in the first major day of work on the investigation into what caused an explosion at the plant over the weekend. (Kevin Myrick/SJ)
Posted: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 11:00 am
by Kevin Myrick
ROCKMART — Winter weather made it difficult for investigators to work at JCG Farms Feed Mill, but the investigation continued Tuesday into what caused a deadly explosion at the Rockmart facility early Sunday morning.
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen said the investigation was started in earnest after more agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrived Monday night to join the effort.
Click here for a map to the explosion site.
Queen said they had not yet found any indications of a cause yet, and said it is too early in the investigation to speculate.
“It’s still fairly early. As with any fire investigation, everything is on the table,” Queen said. “As we begin to go through the investigation process, we can rule out some causes and focus more on others. … We’re looking at everything.”
Queen said it would likely take weeks, maybe months, to get a complete picture of what happened.
To help complete that picture, the ATF has sent several agents to help.
Nero Priester, a senior special agent for the ATF and the public information officer for the Atlanta Field Division, said 20 agents are on scene from the agency’s National Response Team.
A mobile command center has been set up to provide technical resources on site.
“We have a wide array of people with various specialties on site to help with events like this,” Priester said.
The team will help generate what is called a Cause of Origin report, and will initially try to find any evidence of intentional sparking of the plant explosion.
“Primarily what we try to do is rule out unnatural causes first, anything like arson or the use of an explosive device,” Priester said. “Once we rule out those things, we start to look for the accidental causes.”
Queen said two problems were hindering efforts: the cold and wintry weather, and not being able to move freely inside the plant with what he called “significant damage.”
He said several areas inside the plant are dangerous because of the damage caused by the explosion, including one building that suffered a complete collapse.
Flags atop the silos at the plant were set at half staff Tuesday for 25-year-old Justin Deems, who was killed in the explosion.
Two others remain hospitalized for their injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Queen said.
Three others who were sent to Rome area hospitals following Sunday’s explosion were treated and released, Queen said.
Queen did say that officials from JCG Farms have been cooperating fully with investigators.
“They’ve provided all the information that we’ve asked for, and have been very helpful to us,” Queen said.