CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Federal safety officials have fined a Mason County alloy plant $44,000 for alleged safety violations found after a May explosion injured four of the facility's workers.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors issued 10 serious citations to Felman Production Inc. after an inspection at the company's facility, located between Letart and New Haven.

OSHA launched its inspection on May 12, after learning of an explosion at a waste Dumpster at the site.

The citations were issued a week ago and announced in a news release issued Monday. Neither the citations nor the release appeared to outline any findings about the cause of the explosion. Instead, OSHA cited the company for inadequate hearing and respiratory protections, electrical hazards, improper use of compressed air, and illegal exposure of employees to silica, lead and manganese fumes.

OSHA listed the citations as serious, meaning there was a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

"Each of these hazards threatens the company's ability to provide employees with a safe and healthful work environment, and should be corrected immediately," said Prentice Cline, director of OSHA's Charleston Area Office in West Virginia.

Felman Production makes ferrosilicomanganese, which is used as a steel oxidizer and alloy additive. About 230 workers are employed by the company at the former Highlander Alloys plant.

The company has 15 business days to appeal the citations, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or comply with the citations and pay the fines.

Reach Ken Ward Jr. at kw...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1702.