In a gripping legal saga, Meta Platforms Technologies LLC, the parent company of Facebook, finds itself entangled in a fierce battle with Washington state regulators. The tech giant, a day after urging a judge to reject attempts to close part of its Redmond research center, faces a new setback as the state labor department slaps it with another citation related to alleged lapses in emergency response planning.
Meta Disputes Safety Citations In Wash. Lab Cleanroom: Meta’s Courtroom Clash
Meta Platforms Technologies LLC launched a counteroffensive against the Department of Labor and Industries in a Washington state court. The company seeks to invalidate a December 18 order instructing it to cease hazardous substance work inside the “Matrix” facility’s “cleanroom,” a critical environment designed for optimal product development.
Fresh Blow from Labor Department
Undeterred by Meta’s legal maneuvers, the state labor department issued a new citation, asserting that Matrix cleanroom workers lacked proper emergency response training. The citation comes with a hefty penalty of $147,000, adding fuel to the already intense legal battle that unfolded after the company’s initial violations were cited in November 2022.
Chemical Hazards Unveiled
Previous citations exposed Meta’s employees to hazardous gases like boron trichloride and chlorine gas, capable of causing chemical burns and organ damage. The initial violations included failure to educate employees about chemical hazards, assess potential exposure levels, and provide adequate respiratory protection, according to state records.
Meta’s Defense and Legal Maneuvers
Meta, adamant in its defense, claims to have appealed the 2022 citation while collaborating with occupational safety divisions to address concerns. Despite ongoing disagreements with the citation, the company asserts its commitment to implementing air sampling and additional protective measures.
Meta Disputes Safety Citations In Wash Lab Cleanroom: Allegations of Due Process Violations
In a startling twist, Meta accuses the labor department of violating due process rights, alleging deprivation of property rights without proving violations. The company contends that regulators failed to meet the threshold for issuing the December 18 order, reserved for situations posing an imminent risk of injury or death to employees.
Uncertain Road Ahead
The legal battle takes a perplexing turn as Meta questions the clarity of the order, claiming uncertainty about specific actions required for the order’s lifting. The company discloses that the Department of Occupational Safety and Health has modified aspects of the order but remains elusive about Meta’s path to compliance.
Meta Disputes Safety Citations In Wash Lab Cleanroom: State’s Deadline and Meta’s Commitment
As Meta contends with the new citation, the state labor department sets a deadline of February 6 for the company to rectify the alleged violations. A spokesman for the labor department emphasizes their commitment to ensuring workplace safety for Washington workers.
Meta’s Pledge Amid Legal Turmoil
Meta Platforms, responding to the unfolding drama, assures that it is working closely with state officials to ensure a safe working environment. The company reiterates its unwavering commitment to employee health and safety amid the escalating legal turmoil.
Legal Representation
Meta Platforms Technologies LLC is represented by Jeffrey B. Youmans and David A. Nordlinger of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
