In July of 2014, one worker died and three others suffered injuries in an explosion at a plant in Mississippi. The explosion occurred at Omega Protein Corporation’s facility in Moss Point, Mississippi. When the explosion occurred, the contract workers had been working near one of the plant’s five fish oil tanks. According to the fire chief at the scene there was an explosion, but no fire.
The workers had been atop a big metal tank on the ground that was partially filled with water. The explosion caused the top of the tank to blow off. One worker died and several others suffered minor injuries. Following the accident, the company shut down the plant to complete an on-site investigation, which included one from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Possible Fines for Mississippi Plant Explosion
OSHA has been investigating the explosion since last year and recently proposed fines of $187,620 for four companies in connection with last year’s explosion. OSHA proposed the fines for the companies because two workers hired to cut and weld pipe at the location lacked required training and knowledge. The workers allegedly did not know that the storage tank beneath them contained explosive methane and hydrogen sulfide gases.
OSHA cited four companies: Accu-Fab & Construction Inc., Omega Protein, JP Williams Machine & Fabrication, and Global Employment. Omega Protein contracted with Accu-Fab to perform metal fabrication on the tank. Global Employment Services provided the employee staffing to Accu-Fab. JP Williams Machine was at the site, but performed unrelated repair services at the facility. Omega Protein received 13 citations for its “willful, repeated and serious safety violations.”
Had the men been properly trained and had the companies not violated the safety regulations, OSHA said that the accident could have been prevented. Eugene Stewart, OSHA’s area director in Jackson, Mississippi stated that “The Omega Protein plant explosion shines a spotlight on how critical it is for employers to verify, isolate and remove fire and explosion hazards in employee work areas.”
For two of the companies, this is not the first time that they have been cited by OSHA. According to OSHA, it cited Omega Protein in 2012 for these same violations. And since 1998, OSHA has inspected various Omega Protein facilities in Mississippi, Virginia and Louisiana 13 different times and cited the company for noise exposure, personal protective equipment, machine guarding, welding and cutting and electrical hazards. Also, Accu-Fab has prior citations from OSHA relating to scaffolding, forklift, welding, cutting and electrical violations.
Contact Texas Plant and Refinery Explosion Lawyers
Explosions at refineries and plants happen far too often in Texas and across the United States. Many times, as with the Mississippi plant explosion, an accident happens as the result of the employer failing to follow proper safety procedures and protocols. If you or a loved one has been injured in a plant explosion, a Texas plant and refinery explosion attorney can help you understand your rights.
At Zehl & Associates, we employ a qualified team of dedicated Texas explosion attorneys who can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Contact Zehl & Associates’ plant and refinery explosion lawyers today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation.