by Zach Miller
Louisville, KY: Two workers are dead and around a dozen injured after an explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour Manufacturing Plant, a food additive plant that manufactures caramel coloring used in soft drinks. The explosion occurred around 3pm on 11/12 and shook the surrounding area, casting debris and damaging homes and businesses. Residents of the surrounding neighborhood close to the blast were evacuated, while more were instructed to shelter in place for hours afterwards, as there was a possibility of a hazardous chemical exposure from the blast. The cause of the blast is currently unknown and under investigation.
Due to “miscommunication” from management of the plant, who had previously announced that all workers had been accounted for, one worker killed in the blast was not recovered from the rubble of the plant until several hours later. The other worker died of their injuries in route to the hospital following the explosion. The identity of the two workers killed has not yet been made public.
This is not the first time an incident of this nature occurred at this site. In 2003 a “catastrophic vessel failure” killed one worker at the same factory, at the time under the ownership of the D.D. Williamson Company. The company that bought the plant from D.D. Williamson, Givaudan Sense Colour, has been cited twice since 2021 by the Louisville Air Pollution Control District. Last May, the facility was cited for failing to provide proper compliance reports on monitoring, recording and inspecting air quality control operations. In December 2023, the plant was cited for the excessive release of food coloring powder into the air, which would end up on neighboring homes, properties, and cars. Givaudan agreed to pay a total of $7,500 for the violations rather than going to court. For years many residents of the Clifton neighborhood, where the plant is located, have expressed frustration and concern with the Plant’s presence in a primarily residential neighborhood. Many of the complaints revolve around the strong odor and poor air quality around the plant, as well the memory of the first explosion in 2003.
Representatives of Givaudan Sense Colour are set to meet with the city and members of the community soon. Residents have been provided a “hotline” number to express any concerns and questions in the aftermath of the explosion. The current mayor of Louisville Craig Greenberg expressed hope the company would consider moving the factory but stay in Louisville.
