Santa Paula, CA – Kenneth Douglas Griffin, a former supervisor at the Santa Clara Waste Water Company (SCWWC), was sentenced on September 21, 2017, to seven months in jail and ordered to pay $10,450 in fines following a 2014 explosion at the facility. The case, investigated by the Ventura County Environmental Health Department, revealed a pattern of negligence and deliberate obstruction of regulatory oversight that ultimately endangered SCWWC employees.
The incident stemmed from an explosion on November 18, 2014, at the SCWWC plant located on Mission Rock Road. Investigators determined that Griffin was actively involved in relocating chemicals from the SCWWC site to an off-site storage location, a clear attempt to hinder ongoing inspections by the Ventura County Environmental Health Department – a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). This action constituted a felony conspiracy to impede enforcement, according to court documents.
Hazardous Conditions and Lack of Warning
Beyond the obstruction of inspections, the investigation uncovered a more egregious failure: Griffin knowingly failed to warn SCWWC employees of a serious, concealed danger. The plant contained sodium chlorite, a hazardous material, and Griffin did not alert personnel to its presence or the risks associated with it. Compounding the issue, numerous chemicals throughout the facility were either mislabeled or lacked labels entirely, creating a dangerous and confusing environment for workers. This lack of clear communication regarding hazardous materials directly contributed to the unsafe working conditions that led to the explosion.
Guilty Plea and Legal Ramifications
On July 12, 2017, Griffin pleaded guilty to multiple charges. These included felony conspiracy to impede enforcement by a CUPA official, felony knowing failure to warn of a serious concealed danger, misdemeanor interference with enforcement, and repeated violations of labor safety standards. The prosecution successfully argued that Griffin’s actions demonstrated a reckless disregard for employee safety and a deliberate attempt to evade environmental regulations.
A Pattern of Non-Compliance
Sources close to the investigation indicate that SCWWC had a history of compliance issues prior to the 2014 incident. While the company itself hasn’t faced criminal charges in this case, Griffin’s actions highlight a systemic problem with safety protocols and a potential culture of prioritizing cost-cutting over worker well-being. The Ventura County Environmental Health Department has since increased scrutiny of SCWWC’s operations.
Key Facts:
- Defendant: Kenneth Douglas Griffin
- Location: Santa Clara Waste Water Company, Santa Paula, CA
- Date of Incident: November 18, 2014
- Statutes Violated: Felony Conspiracy to Impede Enforcement by a CUPA Official, Felony Knowing Failure to Warn of Serious Concealed Danger, Misdemeanor Interference with Enforcement, Repeated Violations of Labor Safety Standards.
- Sentence: 7 months incarceration and $10,450 fine
- Hazardous Material: Sodium Chlorite
This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to environmental and safety regulations. The GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments regarding SCWWC and any potential further investigations into its safety practices.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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