I-TEAM investigates earlier violations at the Pinova plant in Braunschweig

Brunswick, Ga. – A massive fire that was once contained and then suddenly reignited at the Pinova plant in Brunswick resulted in voluntary evacuation orders for some residents within a half-mile radius of the plant and a protective order for all city ​​on Saturday.

The fire broke out early Saturday morning and officials said it was contained by mid-morning but reignited that same afternoon. Several crews joined the Brunswick City and Glynn County fire departments to help fight the blaze. Around 10 p.m. officials announced the massive fire had finally been put out and said no casualties had been reported.

Officials did not provide any information about the cause of the fire.

The News4JAX I-TEAM took a look at the history of violations at the Pinova plant.

In April 2022, the company was fined $185,000 by the Georgia Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA). According to an order from the Environmental Protection Department, a report said the company had several omissions in operating machinery without a license and failed to keep or provide records.

Then in December of that year, Pinova was fined $44,007 by GEPA for violating the Air Quality Act. This report found leaking components, missed monitoring, and an inadequate wooden plug.

In December 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found four serious violations. Pinova was subpoenaed for failing to conduct internal and external inspections of the rosin tank. The agency claims staff were at risk of tank rupture due to over-pressurization. And Quote claimed employees were exposed to chemical hazards. There were four violations that day with penalties totaling $44,861.

Another OSHA violation occurred in January 2019. An employee was injured trying to attach a hose to a tote bag. The tote fell off the forklift and the worker injured his leg and knee and was taken to the hospital. Pinova paid a fine of $4,347.

From 2012 to 2017, there were four more violations of GEPA’s air quality law, resulting in a total fine of $49,000.

Additionally, since August 2010, OSHA has fined Pinova $30,000 for safety-related violations.