A recent Colorado work accident ended with one fatality and two workers injured. The accident occurred early Monday morning close to Bayfield at BP’s Pinon compressor station. BP is currently investigating the explosion. The extent of the injuries for the men injured at work is currently unknown.
BP has been under a spotlight lately for its safety measures, and unfortunately, this explosion is added to the black marks on their record. In 2005, a refinery explosion outside of the state killed 15 people. In 2006, a pipeline leaked over 5,000 barrels of crude from a corroded pipeline hole, and in 2010, BP was held responsible for the largest oil spill occurring offshore in the history of the United States.
BP claims it is Colorado’s top producer of natural gas and operates approximately 1,500 wells around the state. The company centers their Colorado operations around the San Juan basin, which is where the most recent workplace accident occurred. Currently, the station is offline, and traders have noted that the basin’s shutdown has not affected the price of natural gas. A spokesman for BP indicated there was not much information surrounding the accident at this time. However, a separate company statement said an investigation was underway, and the company would cooperate with any federal, state or local probes.
The names of the victims from the Colorado incident were not immediately released, and it is unknown whether the personnel injured were hospitalized. Any time an accident of this caliber occurs, it is understandably frightening for both the workers and their families. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits will likely help the injured men and their families with medical expenses and lost wages during any recovery time. It will likely also financially assist the family of the deceased victim by providing monetary support in the form of death benefits, intended for funeral and burial expenses and for lost wages as well.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “BP investigates fatal Colorado natgas blast,” Pamela Hasterok, June 26, 2012