The Season for House Fires

With the arrival of the holidays, the risk of a house fire grows. People are more likely to use portable heating devices and light fires in fireplaces because of cold weather. Kitchen fires are more common as people cook for family get-togethers. An average of 1,300 kitchen fires occurred on each Thanksgiving Day from 2009 … Continued

Could Another West Explosion Happen in Your Community?

When the West Fertilizer Plant exploded in April, people across the state of Texas wondered if the same type of explosion could occur in their communities. That’s because this plant wasn’t one that most of its neighbors feared or thought posed a threat. But it did. Fifteen people died when ammonium nitrate within the West … Continued

Tragic West, Texas Blast Offers Lessons

Officials are still sorting through the wreckage following a catastrophic blast and fire at a West, Texas fertilizer plant. So far, according to the Associated Press, 14 people have been confirmed killed and more than 200 injured in the small Texas town. And while we don’t know for certain what caused the blast, signs indicate … Continued

Houston Area Construction Companies Fined for Worker Deaths

Three separate companies are facing penalties for not protecting workers from accidents, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The violations led to the deaths of two workers at a Hockley work site last August. According to a press release from OSHA, two workers were killed when they were cutting metal with a torch … Continued

Chemical Plant Explosion Kills One, Shuts Down Pasadena

A chemical plant explosion resulted in the death of at least one worker and the injury of another. Because of the nature of the facilities, Pasadena residents were encouraged to stay indoors with windows shut as officials worked to contain any contaminants that may have been dispersed in the blast and subsequent blaze. According to … Continued

Local Construction Worker Dies in Blast

When you work in the construction field, you are continually in dangerous positions. From the equipment you use to the locations in which you work, your job is simply more risky than other professions. But this doesn’t mean you should accept the fact that construction accidents will happen. Instead, you can do your part to … Continued

Oil Tanker Crash a Reminder of Marine Dangers

An empty oil tanker crashed into the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge last week, providing a reminder that even the largest ships being guided by the most experienced captains stand a chance of being involved in a serious accident. The tanker was piloted by captain Guy Kleess and, according to the Associated Press, he was a … Continued

Oil Platform Accident Both Tragic and Preventable

Several workers were injured and at least two were missing after an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded last week. Black Elk Energy’s West Delta Block 32 was a smaller platform, decommissioned several years ago and in the process of being updated in order to pump the last vestiges of profit from it. … Continued

Oil Workers Injured at Fire Near Midway

Oil field workers have a dangerous job. And sometimes this job results in serious injuries and even death. Fortunately, a fire south of Midway at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Ferguson Unit didn’t result in death, but it did injure four workers. According to the Madisonville Meteor, the accident happened as four workers were … Continued

Refinery Fires Can Be Catastrophic

The above title was taken from a thoughtful and informative piece published in the Gulf News. This isn’t a Gulf of Mexico news source, but one from the other side of the country—where many of the same concerns exist because of the similar presence of the oil industry. According to the piece, there are huge … Continued