ADM accused for misconduct and lack of safety inspections following explosion that injured US worker

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co intentionally failed to test and maintain safety systems on its grain equipment for years, which contributed to an explosion that immolated a worker and put him in a coma last year, according to a lawsuit filed against the company.

The explosion is part of a series of safety incidents that have occurred at ADM's facilities in Decatur (Illinois), the North American headquarters of this global grain trader.

ADM declined to comment Thursday on the lawsuit or the incidents.

This year, the company's share price has been impacted by a global grain glut. It is also being investigated by the U.S. Government for accounting irregularities.

The lawsuit was filed in Macon County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Illinois. It alleges that in April 2023, a supervisor instructed Antonio McElrath to turn off a grain "leg tube" that had started smoking.

According to the lawsuit, an explosion occurred when McElrath stood in the path of the tube.

Timothy Shay, McElrath's attorney, said that McElrath was in a induced coma from two to three week following the accident. "He suffered serious injuries and continues to recover."

ADM was found to have failed to test or inspect critical safety systems during the explosion which injured McElrath and other workers.

The lawsuit claims that ADM installed fire and explosion suppression system to keep workers safe and prevent accidents, but they did not work.

According to the lawsuit, ADM's vast grain and oilseeds processing complex in Decatur has also experienced dust explosions and fires in 2018, 2019 and this summer.

In September 2023, an explosion caused injuries at the East Plant. According to the Decatur Fire Department, a fire started in ADM's East Plant sorbitol department on Monday. Reporting by P.J. Huffstuttering in Chicago, edited by Aurora Ellis

(source: Reuters)