LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Wednesday’s explosion at Carbide Industries in Louisville's Rubbertown neighborhood is the latest in a long history of safety violations, including three worker deaths and nearly $100,000 in fines.

In 2011, two workers were killed in an explosion. Federal investigators found the blast occurred after Carbide ignored warning signs, including 26 work orders on the furnace that blew up. The company faced a fine of just $11,200.

Despite promises to improve safety, violations continued. In 2018, an employee was electrocuted and killed, and Carbide paid only $7,000 in penalties.

“The problem with the city is that they don’t learn,” said Eboni Cochran, co-director of Rubbertown Emergency ACTion, a grassroots group of neighbors advocating for clean air near 11 chemical

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