The company which owns a grain storage facility in Atchison was cited by the federal government Thursday for serious safety violations.

The violations stem from the grain dust explosion from October which killed six workers at the Bartlett Grain Facility just south of Atchison Kan. along the Missouri River.

If the operators had addressed industry known hazards, the deaths could have been prevented, according to U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.  The explosion was determined accidental by Kansas investigators.

Grain dust is highly combustible and the agency cites a lack of proper maintenance and inadequate emergency plans.