Michigan Auto Supplier Faces Fines Over Legionnaires Case

A Michigan auto supplier is facing a fine after it didn’t adequately address Legionnaires’ cases four years ago and the bacteria grew again – killing one worker and sickening two others in 2023. The Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration, MIOSHA, issued a $10,300 penalty against Huron Inc., a manufacturer for the auto industry, following an investigation into the worker’s death.

Founded in 1943, Huron Inc. has grown into one of Sanilac County’s biggest employers with roughly 420 workers. It was purchased by Seven Mile Capital Partners, a private equity firm from New York, in 2015 and underwent a $13 million expansion seven years ago. The company refused comment when questioned about the case.

A timeline of Legionnaires’ at Huron Inc.

The circumstances that led to a worker dying were detailed in MIOSHA case files obtained by the Freedom of Information Act. The report redacted the name, gender and other personal details about the worker. It started when two Huron Inc. employees were hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease in 2020. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tested 15 water samples at the facility and found one positive for Legionella. The company then performed “corrective actions” to kill the bacteria. But in 2023, more workers were infected.

Last summer, a sickened worker, 61, was admitted to the hospital “after being exposed to Legionella bacteria from an affected water source inside the facility,” and died a week later on Aug. 20, 2023. At the time, Huron Inc. couldn’t pinpoint the water source because case files said this maintenance worker “could have been anywhere around the plant.” The company also didn’t report the death to the state.

More than a month later, on Sept. 28, 2023, another worker called in sick and was admitted to the hospital with Legionnaires’ disease. This employee didn’t return to work until Nov. 6, 2023 “after six weeks of illness.” Then in December, a third employee – who had respiratory symptoms lingering “without significant relief for months” – read about the other Legionnaires’ cases in Huron Inc.’s newsletter posted in the lunchroom. This employee tested positive for the disease on Dec. 15, 2023. Another round of water testing detected Legionella – the same genetic strain that infected the three employees – in four areas of the facility. Huron Inc. then performed additional “corrective actions” including disinfecting with bleach, replacing pipes in the areas that tested positive and setting all water tanks to 122 degrees.

The monthslong investigation wrapped up in August with a settlement agreement. A violation worksheet says Huron Inc. “failed to keep their employees free from a recognized hazard” that can cause death or serious injury. The company “was aware of the presence of Legionella disease” after the first two employees got sick in 2020, according to MIOSHA, but “failed to develop an effective water maintenance program to monitor and prevent the growth” of bacteria in the facility’s water supply. As a result, MIOSHA wrote one employee died, one was hospitalized and one was sick for several weeks “all from exposure to legionella pneumophilia contaminated water sources in the facility.”

What is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It’s caused by a bacterium known as legionella.

Most people catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling the bacteria from water or soil. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to Legionnaires’ disease.

The legionella bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu. Pontiac fever usually clears on its own, but untreated Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal. Although prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures Legionnaires’ disease, some people continue to have problems after treatment.

Legionnaires’ disease usually develops two to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:

• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever that may be 104 F (40 C) or higher

By the second or third day, you’ll develop other signs and symptoms that can include:

• Cough, which might bring up mucus and sometimes blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Confusion or other mental changes

Although Legionnaires’ disease primarily affects the lungs, it occasionally can cause infections in wounds and in other parts of the body, including the heart.

A mild form of Legionnaires’ disease — known as Pontiac fever — can produce fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. Pontiac fever doesn’t infect your lungs, and symptoms usually clear within two to five days.

 

For more information on Legionnaires’ Disease and other related health concerns please keep an eye on Make Food Safe. We offer free consultations as well if you have been infected.