Companies Face $70,711 in Fines for Fatal Fire, Explosion

Tuesday, January 30, 2018 | 0

Four Colorado companies face a combined $70,711 in penalties for an explosion and fire that killed one worker and injured three others, the Occupational Safety and Health Administrative announced.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Energes Services LLC, Dominguez Welding LLC and Unlimited Services LLC were merging two oil and gas tank batteries in May 2017 when the explosion and fire occurred. OSHA said its inspectors found that flammable gasses or vapors ignited as employees worked near pipes connected to a crude oil tank.

OSHA cited the employers for introducing potential ignition sources into work areas containing flammable gasses or vapors, not isolating flammable gasses or vapors from welding activity, and not adequately inspecting the work site and addressing safety hazards.

Representatives from each company participated in informal conferences with OSHA’s Denver Area Office to attempt to resolve the citations.