OSHA sets fines at $16.6 million for deadly plant explosion

Boilermaker contractor credited with minimizing losses

AN EXPLOSION THAT killed six workers and injured 50 others at a Kleen Energy Systems power plant under construction in Middletown, Conn., Feb. 7, has led to OSHA fines of $16.6 million for three construction companies and 14 site contractors. The combined penalties are the third largest ever issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for a single episode. Although Boilermakers are involved in the project, no members were on site on the day of the accident.

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A natural gas explosion at a Kleen Energy Systems power plant in Middletown, Conn., Feb. 7 killed six workers and injured 50.

According to OSHA, the explosion resulted when crews were performing a gas blow operation, pumping natural gas under high pressure through new fuel gas lines to remove debris. The agency said a large amount of gas was vented into areas where it could not be readily dispersed. Welding and other operations nearby created a hazardous situation, and the accumulated gas exploded when it contacted an ignition source.

In announcing the fines Aug. 5, OSHA said it found 371 violations, including 225 considered “willful.” O&G Industries received the largest assessment at $8,347,000. A fine of $6,686,000 was charged to Keystone Construction and Maintenance Inc., which was in charge of the piping. Bluewater Energy Services Inc., the plant commissioning and startup contractor, was fined $896,000.

The companies involved have 15 days to contest the proposed fines.

Local 237 BM-ST Tony DeFrancesco said the tragedy was extremely unfortunate, since the construction project was nearing completion. “Up to that point, we were on schedule, and everything was looking good,” he said.

Despite the numerous alleged safety infractions, union workers had performed remarkably well. According to a statement by O&G, workers had put in 1.7 million man-hours with just a single workplace accident.

DeFrancesco added that the deaths and injuries could have been much higher. Signatory contractor Frank Lill & Son, which employs Boilermakers and other trades on the project, had informed O&G that if the gas blow was going to take place on Saturday, Feb. 6, as originally planned, that the company would suspend all work for some 300 tradesmen that day. Consequently, the procedure was moved to Sunday, Feb. 7, when the number of people on site was at a minimum.

“I credit Frank Lill & Son for their safety-mindedness,” said DeFrancesco. “I believe they are the only contractor on site that OSHA did not fine for safety violations.”

Construction of the power plant has resumed. Eighty to ninety Boilermakers were expected to be on site by the end of August.