The Sinclair Refinery is being cited with seven safety violations and over 200-thousand dollars in fines for an explosion and fire at its refinery near Rawlins last fall. 

Wyoming’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA says that two of the violations were willful.  The company has been fined numerous times in the past for a variety of fires, explosions, and other issues. 

Wyoming Workforce Services Director Joan Evans said despite that, she believes Sinclair is improving its safety.“It’s important to note that Sinclair refinery has some verycomplex processes.  Our OSHA division has seen progress to improve safety practices at the facility by Sinclair, its employees and its contractors.”

Evans said that they will continue to focus on helping the company improve.

“Our OSHA division is continuing to assist with the mitigation of these issues at Sinclair and is committed to continuing its work to address hazards.”

Last year the company paid over 700 thousand dollars in fines for safety violations.