OSHA Fines Texas Facility after Fire Injures Workers

The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited High Roller Wells Pearsall SWD No. 1 Ltd. For safety violations following an explosion at a facility in Pearsall, Texas. According to its website, OSHA uncovered 10 serious safety violations, including failure to ensure fall protection for workers on top of tanks, failure to ensure that equipment and electrical wiring are rated for the environment in which they are being used, failure to take necessary precautions to prevent fire and failure to conduct a workplace hazard assessment.

High Roller Wells specializes in the disposal of hydraulic fluid. An explosion and fire at the facility injured three employees at a worksite. The proposed OSHA fines total $46,200.

“Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees are provided with a workplace free of recognized hazards,” said Jeff Funke, regional director for OSHA’s San Antonio office. “If OSHA’s standards had been followed, it is possible this unfortunate incident could have been avoided.”

It is unfortunate that OSHA has to step in and protect these workers because High Roller Wells failed to do so. Every possible precaution must be taken when it comes to high-risk occupations.

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus workers comp attorneys.