Refinery Explosions’ Category
One Worker Injured in Pasadena Refinery Fire
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
One worker has been confirmed injured in a refinery fire that raged through the Petrobras brass refinery in Pasadena, Texas this week. The fire broke out on December 10, and has now been extinguished.
The fire was triggered by an explosion at the Pasadena Refining System. The flames spread quickly, but firefighters were able to quickly contain the flames. There don't appear to have been any chemicals released as a result of explosion.
One worker was injured in the fire. The injuries were reported to be noncritical. The injured employee was taken to a local hospital, and treated. The company confirmed that...
After Fatal Kansas Accident, Focus on Safety at Grain Handling Facilities
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
An explosion at a Kansas grain elevator that killed six workers last month has brought into sharp focus the safety measures at grain handling facilities in Texas and nationwide. The explosion occurred at the Bartlett Grain Co. located about 50 miles northwest of Kansas City.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun an investigation into the Kansas grain elevator explosion. The investigation is expected to take six months to complete, and we will then have answers as to what exactly went wrong here. However, according to the Associated Press, the agency had not inspected the elevator since...
Houston Worker Suffers Fatal Injuries in Louisiana Valero Refinery Accident
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
A Houston man, who was a worker at a Valero refinery in Louisiana, has died after an accident at the refinery. The man was apparently a contract worker at Valero Energy Corp.'s refinery in southeastern Louisiana.
According to fire personnel who responded to the scene of the accident, the two contract employees were working on a construction project when they suffered exposure to a toxic chemical. The two workers were working inside a cracking unit, which was shut at the time of the accident. The victim suffered a head injury which proved fatal. However, it is unclear at this point...
Vujasinovic and Beckcom Obtain TRO in Houston Gas Plant Explosion
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
Our Houston-based personal injury law firm obtained a Temporary Restraining Order last week that prohibits Enterprise Products from tampering or getting rid of crucial evidence providing clues to the deadly gas plant explosion. A Harris County District Judge has scheduled a hearing on this Temporary Restraining Order on February 18, 2011 at the Harris County district courthouse. During this hearing, the court will decide whether the Temporary Restraining Order will be converted into a Temporary injunction.
Click here to read a copy of the Temporary Restraining Order that we've obtained.
The TRO expressly prohibits Enterprise Products from damaging, modifying,...
Enterprise Products Gas Plant Explosion Investigations Have Begun
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
The fire at the Enterprise Products gas plant after a massive explosion earlier in the week, has finally died out. The area has been declared fit for investigators to enter the premises. According to Enterprise representatives, the last fuel that was feeding the fire has now been cut off, and an assessment of the damage has begun.
Federal safety officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have already reached the site of the explosion, and have begun their probe. Enterprise Products is conducting an investigation into the gas plant explosion. . According to the company, pipeline failure is being investigated...
Missing Worker found after Chambers County Gas Plant Explosion
Friday, February 11th, 2011
The body of a worker, who had been missing since a natural gas plant explosion in Chambers County, has now been found. The remains of contract worker, Richard Shaw was found on Wednesday at about 6.30 pm.
The explosion was triggered on Tuesday afternoon at the Enterprise Products plant outside Houston, Texas. The explosion , which was triggered at one of Enterprise Product facility’s natural gas storage facilities, generated a massive fireball that continued to burn for several hours, until relief crews managed to put the flames out. Enterprise Products is located in Mont Belvieu, 35 miles east of Houston.
Shaw...
Lawsuit Filed Against Enterprise Products For Mont Belvieu Plant Explosion
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
Our Houston law firm has filed a lawsuit against Enterprise Products seeking an immediate Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to require the company to preserve all evidence related to the cause and consequences of the February 8, 2011 explosion and fire at its natural gas facility in Mont Belvieu, Texas. We filed this litigation on behalf of some workers who hired us in connection with injuries they sustained as a result of the explosion.
We believe this action is necessary because the company has not been forthcoming regarding investigation activities...
Worker Injured in Ackerly Oil Well Explosion Succumbs to Injuries
Sunday, October 17th, 2010
A worker, who was injured in an oil well explosion near Ackerly earlier this year, has died from his injuries.
The man was seriously injured during the explosion, which occurred in August, about 20 miles south of Lamesa. He suffered serious burns over 80 percent of his body. The victim and another worker were employees of Midland-based Basic Energy Services. They were at the well for support duties, and didn't know that gas was leaking into the air. The natural gas was sucked into the engine of the vehicle nearby, and exploded. The two men sustained serious injuries. The...
Two Workers Suffer Burn Injuries at BPs Texas City Refinery
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Several news sources are reporting that two workers at BPs Texas City refinery have suffered serious burn injuries. According to news reports, the men were working at one of the refineries crude units when they were burned by steam.
There isn't a lot of information available about how the accident occurred, or what unit the men were working on. The injuries were serious enough for the workers to be taken to a hospital. According to some news reports, at least one worker is reported to have suffered 30% burns on his body. He has been shifted to a Galveston area...
BP to Pay $50.6 Million in Penalties for Texas City Refinery Safety Violations
Friday, August 13th, 2010
It hasn't been the best year for BP. This week, the company agreed to pay the single largest penalty in OSHA history for safety violations.
BP agreed to pay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration about $50.6 million in penalties for safety violations at its Texas City refinery. The fines relate to an explosion at the refinery in 2005 that killed 15 workers. BP has also agreed to invest approximately $500 million in upgrading safety programs at the Texas City refinery.
OSHA investigations had revealed that the Texas City refinery occurred because a piece of equipment filled with inflammable...
