OSHA Fatal Explosion Houston News Release

In a Houston News Release at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/osha20091557.htm , the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (”OSHA”) announced on January 4, 2010 that it issued an environmental services company willful and serious citations after an investigation into a fatal explosion at the company’s Griggs Road facility in Houston.  The proposed penalties announced by OSHA total $1,477,500.  According to the OSHA News Release, in July 2009, an employee cleaning a tank was killed in an explosion when an altered piece of equipment ignited flammable vapors inside the tank.  OSHA further stated that the fatality was the third death in less than a year at this employer’s facilities.  In this regard, OSHA issued 15 willful citations, alleging that 15 pieces of electrical equipment were unsafe to use in the tank wash area due to the presence of flammable and combustible vapors.  In addition, OSHA issued two other willful citations along with 54 serious violations. 

OSHA’s mission is, according to its News Release, to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education.  More information about OSHA is available at http://www.osha.gov .

When employment related personal injury or death occurs in Houston, victims may contact OSHA’s Houston South Area Office at 281-286-0583, OSHA’s North Area Office at 281-591-2438 or the OSHA hotline at 1(800)321-6742.  In addition, victims of job site personal injury or death may contact a lawyer.