“We are anxious to work with all of our regulators to ensure we do everything possible to follow up with making sure that something like this never happens again.”
Tri-State Oil Reclaimers, the oil reclaiming company utilized by the University of Wyoming, had a tanker explode last Thursday, killing one worker and injuring another.
Killed in the explosion was Elmer Loman, a welder for Tri-State. Few details are currently available, due to an ongoing OSHA investigation into both the cause and the circumstances leading up to the event. According to a Tri-State representative, a funeral will be held for Loman today in Gillette.
According to a press release from Tri-State, the company plans to work with regulators to look into the problem.
“All of us at Tri-State Oil Reclaimers are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and fellow worker Elmer Loman. In the 31 years that we’ve been doing recycling in the tri-state area this is the first time that anything has happened like this,” the press release reads. “We are anxious to work with all of our regulators to ensure we do everything possible to follow up with making sure that something like this never happens again.”
“Its pretty clear what went wrong,” Senior Mechanical Engineering Major Andrew Hudson said. “They either didn’t have the proper hot work procedures or training.”
According to a report by the Casper Star-Tribune, Loman was working on one of tanks at Tri-State, which still contained oil. The oil ignited, causing an explosion, a resultant fire and the alighted oil spilled around the tanker. Fire crews were able to contain the fire and spill within half an hour.
This explosion is the latest in a series of oil-field related deaths, and citizens have begun to lobby for more harsh penalties for workplace deaths. According to the September minutes of the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee, Mary Jane and Kimberly Collins approached the committee following what they perceived to be minimal action by OSHA regarding the death of their grandson in 2012.
Being heavily STEM focused, the university has a direct connection to oil-industry related fatalities, and many of its students intern with oil companies.
“Its pretty clear what went wrong,” Senior Mechanical Engineering Major Andrew Hudson said. “They either didn’t have the proper hot work procedures or training.”
Hudson interned at Halliburton this past summer and received extensive material safety training with them. Hot work procedures refer to plans set in place to safely deal with flammable materials or work involving flame, such as welding.
“I don’t have the expertise, but the university should take an analysis of whether or not the company has a good track record.” Hudson said.
