US regulators: Deaths of 4 workers at Texas plant show DuPont has 'failed' safety program

U.S. regulators say DuPont has a "failed" safety program and issued additional violations against the chemical company following the deaths of four workers last year.

The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a statement Thursday that the November deaths were preventable and revealed hazards that undermine the company's claims of a world-class safety culture.

OSHA had earlier cited the company for 11 safety violations and on Thursday announced an additional eight offenses. OSHA placed DuPont in a program that scrutinizes employers that show "indifference" to creating a safe workplace.

The workers were asphyxiated when exposed to methyl mercaptan, a toxic gas.

DuPont said in a statement that it hasn't yet fully reviewed OSHA's findings but that operating the La Porte plant safely was its top priority.