Undefeated Texas Plant & Refinery Accident Attorneys
Three workers were injured in a scaffolding collapse at the Chevron refinery in Pasadena, Texas on Wednesday afternoon.
3 Contractors Hurt in Scaffolding Collapse at Chevron Pasadena
The accident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, at an industrial facility operated by Chevron at 111 Red Bluff Road near Highway 225.
According to the Pasadena Fire Marshal, three contractors were injured while performing scaffolding demolition work, falling approximately 25 feet from a temporary structure supporting their crew and materials inside the plant.
One contractor was airlifted to a local hospital with serious injuries, while two others were transported by ambulance.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an on-site investigation.
Scaffolding Collapses & Injuries: What to Know
Scaffolding and temporary platforms play a critical role in the maintenance and operation of equipment inside Texas plants and oil refineries. However, due to their height and the heavy loads they support, scaffolding collapses can lead to devastating injuries or fatalities.
Refinery workers involved in a scaffolding collapse or catastrophic fall often suffer traumatic injuries, including fractures, dislocations, spinal cord and brain injuries, and internal organ damage. Emergency treatment typically focuses on stabilizing the victim and addressing life-threatening conditions before surgical or non-surgical interventions are pursued.
Tragically, many of these injuries require lifelong treatment, but the long-term impact extends far beyond the physical—leaving victims to face overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and the emotional toll of an uncertain future.
Common Causes of a Scaffolding Collapse in Texas Refineries
While these incidents can happen for a variety of reasons, in our experience, most scaffolding and refinery accidents are entirely preventable. They often result from corporate negligence—whether it’s failing to train workers to follow safety protocols, ignoring OSHA regulations, or prioritizing profits over safety.
Some of the most common causes include:
1. Structural Failures and Defective Equipment
Poorly assembled scaffolding, weak support structures, and defective materials can lead to sudden collapses. If manufacturers or suppliers provide substandard materials, scaffolding may fail under normal working conditions, causing catastrophic injuries.
2. Improper Assembly and Installation
Scaffolding must be erected according to strict safety guidelines. If workers fail to secure planks, braces, or guardrails properly, the structure can become unstable, leading to falls or total collapse. Similarly, incorrect installation of heavy machinery or industrial equipment can cause malfunctions that result in plant accidents.
3. Overloading and Excessive Weight
Scaffolding is designed to hold a specific load, including workers, tools, and materials. Overloading the platform with too much weight can cause it to buckle or break. In plants and industrial settings, overloading cranes, lifts, or storage racks can result in sudden structural failures.
4. Lack of Proper Training and Safety Precautions
Workers who are not adequately trained to use scaffolding or heavy machinery pose a significant risk to themselves and others. Inexperienced workers may not recognize warning signs of structural weakness, and without fall protection training, they may be more susceptible to serious injuries.
5. Poor Maintenance and Inspections
Routine inspections are critical to identifying weak points in scaffolding, machinery, and other industrial equipment. If a company neglects to maintain its equipment, rust, wear-and-tear, and loose connections can compromise stability, increasing the risk of collapse.
6. Adverse Weather Conditions
High winds, heavy rain, or freezing temperatures can weaken scaffolding and make surfaces slippery, increasing the likelihood of falls and structural failures. In refineries and industrial plants, extreme weather can cause pipes to burst, electrical systems to short-circuit, or hazardous materials to leak, leading to workplace accidents.
7. Violations of OSHA and Industry Safety Standards
Employers have a legal duty to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and industry-specific safety protocols. When companies cut corners on safety—whether by failing to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) or ignoring proper installation procedures—workers are put at risk.
Texas Refinery Accident Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Our Texas Plant & Refinery Accident Lawyers continue to monitor the devastating scaffolding collapse at Chevron Pasadena, and will provide updates as they become available. Having set records for accident victims in connection with the most catastrophic plant, refinery and workplace accidents in history, we have seen the extraordinary lengths that companies will go to avoid responsibility when workers and contractors are seriously injured and killed — and we are committed to ensuring they’re held fully accountable.
If you or a loved one was injured or tragically killed in plant or refinery accident, contact our Undefeated Plant Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at 1-8888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
All consultations are free and confidential, and you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.