4 People Injured After Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery
At least four people were injured in an explosion at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Baytown, TX. The explosion occurred on Thursday, December 23.
Officials stated that a fire started around 2 a.m. Three of the injured people were taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital and the fourth injured person was taken by ambulance. The victims were in stable condition according to the ExxonMobil Refinery manager, Rohan Davis.
The Explosion
An explosion occurred at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Baytown and residents in the area reported a loud explosion. Emergency workers were able to extinguish the fire that same morning.
The fire was said to have happened in a unit that produces gasoline. However, the cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known and an investigation is still ongoing. The explosion has shown no impact on the air quality for the nearby community.
The Baytown refinery is the fourth-largest U.S. refinery with a capacity of more than 500,000 barrels a day. According to chief oil analyst, Tom Kloza, the need for gasoline won’t be greatly affected in the next six weeks due to the low demand for gas this time of year.
However, the lost output from the Baytown explosion is likely to have an effect on gas prices in the spring.
Common Injuries in the Oil and Gas Industry
In 2006, there were 125 fatalities in the oil and gas industry, making it one of the deadliest years on record. Although there was a high number of fatalities in 2006, at least 8,500 injuries were reported in 2011.
Working in the oil and gas industry comes with many hazards. Workers are often surrounded by heavy machinery and explosive substances on the worksite. Common injuries that occur include:
- Severe burns
- Respiratory problems
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Hearing loss
- Loss of eyesight
- Chronic pain
- Catastrophic injuries
Those who work in the oil and gas industry are often aware of the risks involved. Unfortunately, their main focus is on getting the job done quickly and efficiently without much regard for their safety.
Because of the hazards that surround them every day, safety rules and precautions must be followed to avoid any severe or fatal accidents. With the number of accidents rising in the industry, safety programs and work behavior should be re-evaluated by companies and their managers to protect their workers and nearby communities.
If you’ve been injured in an oil industry accident, reach out to your Houston personal injury attorneys at Lapeze & Johns today to get started on your legal claim.
Source: CNN
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