Xcel Energy Inc. and its Colorado subsidiary have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver in connection with a 2007 chemical fire at an Xcel hydroelectric-power plant that killed five workers. The office of the U.S. attorney for Colorado, David Gaouette, just announced that Minneapolis-based Xcel and its Colorado unit, Public Service Company of Colorado, are accused in the criminal indictment of violating federal workplace safety and health regulations in connection with the fire at Xcel's Cabin Creek Hydro Plant, near Georgetown. RPI Coating Inc, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., the contractor that employed the men who died in the fire, is also mentioned in the indictment.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruled last year that the fire was "preventable" and could have been avoided if the companies involved had followed their safety procedures.
The fire began at the hydroelectric plant on Oct. 2, 2007, while the workers were in a drained water tunnel, known as a penstock, connected to the plant, cleaning a sprayer with a flammable solvent. Vapor from the solvent ignited, causing the fire.
The five workers who died were Gary Foster, Don DeJaynes, Dupree Holt, Anthony Aguirre and James St. Peters. They were blocked by the fire that ignited inside the penstock, they died due to asphyxiation. Four others were able to escape.
Xcel, Public Service and RPI Coating are each charged with five counts of violating OSHA regulations and causing death, a crime punishable by a fine of up to $500,000 per count if convicted. Two officials of RPI coating, Philippe Goutagny and James Thompson, are also charged with the same five counts and face up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count if convicted.
"This catastrophe could have been avoided if the companies had followed their critical safety procedures," said Greg Baxter, OSHA Regional Administrator in Denver. "There should never be such a disregard for the safety of employees."
Tim Taylor, president and CEO of Public Service said, "Since the accident, we have done what we can to help those families and individuals. Safety has always been a top priority and a core value at Public Service Company of Colorado. We have an extensive safety organization, made up of experienced safety professionals who work hard to implement our numerous safety training programs and policies. We have a long and strong safety record, but safety is a job that is never done."
Taylor also added that the local Xcel affiliate, "extended its "deepest sympathies to the families of those employees of RPI Coatings who perished in the accident, as well as to those who were injured."
Sources:
Harden, Mark. "Xcel indicted in fatal 2007 hydro-plant fire; utility calls fire an 'accident'" Denver Business Journal. 28 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
Roberts, Michael. "Xcel Energy, others accused of OSHA violations in incident that killed five." Denver Westword. 28 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ruled last year that the fire was "preventable" and could have been avoided if the companies involved had followed their safety procedures.
The fire began at the hydroelectric plant on Oct. 2, 2007, while the workers were in a drained water tunnel, known as a penstock, connected to the plant, cleaning a sprayer with a flammable solvent. Vapor from the solvent ignited, causing the fire.
The five workers who died were Gary Foster, Don DeJaynes, Dupree Holt, Anthony Aguirre and James St. Peters. They were blocked by the fire that ignited inside the penstock, they died due to asphyxiation. Four others were able to escape.
Xcel, Public Service and RPI Coating are each charged with five counts of violating OSHA regulations and causing death, a crime punishable by a fine of up to $500,000 per count if convicted. Two officials of RPI coating, Philippe Goutagny and James Thompson, are also charged with the same five counts and face up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count if convicted.
"This catastrophe could have been avoided if the companies had followed their critical safety procedures," said Greg Baxter, OSHA Regional Administrator in Denver. "There should never be such a disregard for the safety of employees."
Tim Taylor, president and CEO of Public Service said, "Since the accident, we have done what we can to help those families and individuals. Safety has always been a top priority and a core value at Public Service Company of Colorado. We have an extensive safety organization, made up of experienced safety professionals who work hard to implement our numerous safety training programs and policies. We have a long and strong safety record, but safety is a job that is never done."
Taylor also added that the local Xcel affiliate, "extended its "deepest sympathies to the families of those employees of RPI Coatings who perished in the accident, as well as to those who were injured."
Sources:
Harden, Mark. "Xcel indicted in fatal 2007 hydro-plant fire; utility calls fire an 'accident'" Denver Business Journal. 28 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
Roberts, Michael. "Xcel Energy, others accused of OSHA violations in incident that killed five." Denver Westword. 28 Aug. 2009. Web. 28 Aug. 2009.
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