BUCKSNORT, Tenn. (WKRN) — As authorities continue to investigate the aftermath of an explosion in Tennessee that has left 18 individuals missing as of Friday, Nexstar’s WKRN has uncovered more details about the company managing the site.

Accurate Energetic Systems is a manufacturer that produces explosives for both defense and commercial purposes. Documents have disclosed several violations by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the plant.

Back in 2019, the company faced “serious” citations concerning the presence of cyclonite, an explosive substance, in locations where employees were allowed to eat and drink. Cyclonite exposure “could result in central nervous system impairment.” During that time, two workers had seizures, potentially due to cyclonite exposure while working within what was referred to as a “Hot House.” Discussions between company and TOSHA officials also touched upon personal protective equipment.

The documentation notes, “The employer explained that employees could choose to wear long sleeves at work but didn’t want to impose extreme PPE measures because their cyclonite is coated with a wax which inhibits easy skin absorption.” The TOSHA representative highlighted that cyclonite does pose a skin hazard and it was essential for the employer to reduce skin exposure for the workforce.

It was identified as a significant violation that “the employer had not ensured that break room surfaces, like tables and microwaves, were free from cyclonite contamination.” Ultimately, the company settled with the state by paying $7,200 in fines, committing to several improvements, and having the citations reclassified to less severe infractions.

Accurate Energetic Systems handles potent materials such as TNT, creating products for industries like defense, aerospace, and mining. WKRN interviewed Chris Hinkle, a former FBI agent, about the strategies and responses required at such a facility.

“The first thing they’re going to want to do is make sure everybody’s accounted for,” Hinkle said. “They want to know what types of explosives are there, and what precautions they have to take before they go into that scene. When you enter that scene — just because they’ve had the explosion, there could still be unexploded ordinances that are there. There could be things that are delayed reactions with explosives. You really want to take your time.”

Hinkle said investigators will be focused on what was happening at the time of the blast.

“They should be able to find out the point of origin. We do this in fire investigations where you can look and you can kind of tell where the first blast of fire came from,” Hinkle said. “They should be able to track this down based on what the company was doing at the time, what they were working on, where it was, and if all of that matches up with what the company is saying, they should be able to wrap it up reasonably quick. It’s not going to be overnight, you really want to first make sure everybody is safe.”

As of Friday evening, there’s no indication as to what caused the explosion.