More Safety Initiatives Needed to Avoid Texas Oil Refinery Accidents

Across the United States and in Texas, the number of oil refinery accidents remains high even after targeted safety initiatives.

2013-01-31

January 31, 2013 (Press-News.org) A recent oil refinery fire was another in a long list of accidents that have made headlines in one of the most dangerous industries. The fire broke out in a residual hydrotreater at the Texas City, Texas refinery on October 30. The refinery's fire department was able to extinguish the blaze after an hour and a half with no injuries.

Luckily, the recent fire did not injure any workers. Of some concern is that the incident occurred at the same site as the worst U.S. refinery accident, the March 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 180 others.

The workers' compensation system provides a safety net for those workers and their families who are injured or killed in Texas workplace accidents. The system can be complex to navigate and a Texas workers' compensation attorney can assist in navigating the process.

Oil refinery industry accidents and regulators response

Across the United States, reports of refinery accidents remain too common. Another accident at a Chevron refinery in Richmond last August was another narrow escape after a flammable vapor escaped a failed pipe.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently cited another Texas refinery for exposing employees to hydrofluoric acid after receiving a complaint. A leak at a flange during routine maintenance work was blamed.

These reports come despite a federal effort to crack down on violations in industry. In 2007, when OSHA launched its three-year enforcement effort, federal officials noted that since OSHA safety standards went into effect in 1992, "no other industry sector has had as many fatal or catastrophic incidents related to the release" of volatile chemical exposure as refineries.

By 2010, federal officials had found a "deeply troubling" pattern of breakdowns in workplace safety among the 126 refineries it had inspected across the country. Fines for various refineries averaged $76,000.

A call to improve safety

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigates many of the accidents. The chair of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Rafael Moure-Eraso, in a recent op-ed raised concerns regarding the integrity of piping and equipment. Deteriorating equipment is a common theme. Questions focus on why some, but not all corroded segments of piping are sometimes replaced. Refineries need to strengthen safety measures and preventative maintenance programs.

The industry has made some strides toward protecting workers, but breakdowns in equipment still have the potential to injure employees. While many employees working in the oil and gas industry recognize the dangers, their employers still have a duty to ensure as safe of a workplace as possible. After any workplace injury, it is important to contact an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. A consultation and discussion of your individual circumstances is one way to determine the extent of available remedies and any claim complications.

Article provided by The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd
Visit us at www.altontodd.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Extended Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Act Helps Many Minnesota Homeowners

2013-01-31

In the final hours of 2012, the U.S. Congress passed a bill extending the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007. The Act was due to expire at midnight on December 31, 2012. Currently, the Act, also known as the "Debt Forgiveness Act," is now due to expire on January 1, 2014. If the extension had not been enacted, many struggling homeowners within Minnesota and across the nation would no longer be entitled to substantial tax relief provided by the Act. Debt Forgiveness Act provides tax relief Under the provisions of the Act, homeowners who receive ...

Bridgeport Jury Awards Injured Man $1.2 Million

2013-01-31

On January 10, 2013 a Bridgeport jury awarded a man injured in a car wreck on Interstate 95 more than Nine Hundred Thousand ($900,000.00) Dollars. With interest, the final judgment will be $1.2 Million Dollars. The plaintiff, Manuel Vasquez, was severely injured on June 3, 2008 when two wheels from the defendants' tractor-trailer came loose, separating from the truck and bouncing over the median into oncoming traffic. Six vehicles were damaged, and both side of the highway were closed by the state police. The case, entitled Manuel Vasquez v. Road Service Network, et ...

Railroad Safety in Illinois

2013-01-31

Rail crossings are common sites for train accidents. They can occur due to a failure of safety equipment such as crossing gates, warning lights and traffic control devices. The Illinois Commerce Commission is responsible for rail safety in Illinois. The ICC also tracks statistics on Illinois train accidents. ICC responsibilities Illinois has more than 8,400 rail crossings, more than any other state except Texas. This includes 2,700 public bridge crossings and 163 private bridge crossings. Illinois railways also have 485 pedestrian crossings, including 85 bridge ...

Atlanta Luxury Homes Realtors, Sotheby's International Realty, Launch New Website

2013-01-31

If you are in the market for luxury homes in Atlanta, there is a new luxury realty Web site available to you from a name with whom you might be familiar. Sotheby's International Realty has launched a new site featuring luxury homes in Atlanta. Sotheby's International Realty may be more recognizable as an auction house, and indeed, for more than two centuries, Sotheby's International Realty has been the leading name in auctions. In 1976, they expanded their potential by launching a high-end realty company, which includes the Atlanta metropolitan area. Focused on the ...

Custom Made Plantation Shutters Manufacturer, Eclipse Shutters, Offers the Best Warranty in the Business - 25 Years

2013-01-31

Custom made plantation shutters are widely accepted as one of the very best window treatment options available. They are a beautiful addition that provides your home with classic elegance and increased curb appeal. These shutters actually increase your home value as well. Plantation shutters are versatile, durable, energy efficient and safer to use around small children. While the benefits of custom window shutters are straightforward, their warranties often are not. Both wood and faux plantation shutters typically come with limited warranties in vague language with ...

Atlanta Limo Company Topper Worldwide Adds a Porsche Panamera to Their Fleet

2013-01-31

Atlanta limousine service, Topper Worldwide, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its fleet to include the new Porsche Panamera. Known throughout the metro area for its high-end Atlanta car services, Topper Worldwide has kept its fleet on the cutting edge of luxury automobiles since its inception. The new Porsche Panamera is the latest in its legacy of acquisition of striking full-sized luxury cars. The Panamera, named after the Carrera Panamericana race, is Porsche's vision of the traditional four-door sedan combined with the convenient hatchback. Porsche enthusiasts ...

Eyeglasses Retail Chain America's Best Encourages Finding Your New Look for the New Year

2013-01-31

While many Americans consider the ways they will change their habits during the new year, some are considering changing their appearance as well. Haircuts and a change in wardrobe can be nice, but America's Best encourages glasses wearers to remember to change their eyeglass frames when they change the rest of their look. Eyeglasses can easily come to define a person's overall look because they are such a prominent accessory. For this reason, many individuals opt to have two or more pairs of eyeglass frames so that they can change their style with their eyewear. It is ...

Atlanta Wildlife Removal Professionals, Team Pest USA, Wonder if There is Wildlife in Your Office

2013-01-31

The Atlanta wildlife removal experts at Team Pest USA acknowledge the danger and inconvenience of having animals infiltrate your office building. They offer advice on how to handle the situation should you find yourself in this position. The first step you should take is to search around your office and try to find signs that there really is an animal infestation. Several signs to look for -- and areas within the office to check -- include the following: Feces Look around your office for what appears to be animal feces. This comes in various sizes depending on the ...

Provider for Health Insurance in Georgia, McCart Insurance, Offers Tips to Avoid Contracting Mono on in the New Year

2013-01-31

A quick smooch may seem harmless, but doctors will confirm, a smooch is nice but can have some negative consequences, like contracting mononucleosis. McCart Insurance encourages Georgia individual health insurance consumers to avoid these dreaded kissing diseases. One way to avoid mononucleosis and many other infections is to wash your hands frequently. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with the virus, take thorough precautions. Wash your hands more often and disinfect any areas where that person might have been or touched. Make certain that you have current ...

Oklahoma Company Receives National Recognition

2013-01-31

The Oil & Gas Awards are a platform for the industry to demonstrate and celebrate the advances made in the key areas of the environment, efficiency, innovation, corporate social responsibility, and health & safety. The nominations are a highlight to TEEMCO's achievements over the last few years. The company is a finalist for "Consultancy of the Year Award" and "Environmental Initiative of the Year Award". In just a few years, TEEMCO has grown from a typical "mom and pop" engineering firm into a national company with offices in Pittsburgh, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Hormone therapy reshapes the skeleton in transgender individuals who previously blocked puberty

Evaluating performance and agreement of coronary heart disease polygenic risk scores

Heart failure in zero gravity— external constraint and cardiac hemodynamics

Amid record year for dengue infections, new study finds climate change responsible for 19% of today’s rising dengue burden

New study finds air pollution increases inflammation primarily in patients with heart disease

AI finds undiagnosed liver disease in early stages

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announce new research fellowship in malaria genomics in honor of professor Dominic Kwiatkowski