Oklahoma Firm One of 2 Cited Over 2017 Fatal Gas Pipeline Fire in Colorado

OSHA has cited Oklahoma City’s Complete Energy Services Inc. and DCP Midstream L.P. of Denver and proposed  more than $79,000 in fines over the deaths of two workers in a fire at a gas pipeline.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Denver announced the $79,004 fine following the deadly incident which happened November 2017 as the workers were clearing a blockage in a gas pipeline operated by DCP Midstream. The tragic  incident occurred in Weld County,  Colorado.

“The employer could have prevented this tragedy by taking appropriate precautions to prevent contact between flammable materials and potential ignition sources,” Herb Gibson, OSHA Denver area office director, said in the statement.

One DCP Midstream employee and two contractors were carrying out routine maintenance when the fire broke out on a PCD Energy site.

OSHA investigators determined that flammable vapors or gases from a vacuum truck leaked and ignited the pipeline.

The agency cited both companies for failing to control potential ignition sources in a work area, isolate hazardous energy sources using lockout procedures and train employees on detecting flammable hydrocarbons.

“This was a tragic accident,” a DCP spokesperson said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to DCP Midstream than our core value of safety and we work tirelessly to ensure all employees and contractors go home safely each day, which did not happen.”