Louisiana is currently home to 19 operating refineries, placing second only to Texas in total refineries and operating capacity. Most of these refineries are located on a 10-mile stretch along the Lower Mississippi River where they have access to major ports and shipping.
Unfortunately, our Louisiana plant explosion attorneys know that with these refineries comes the possibility for very serious accidents if certain regulations and safety measures are not properly followed.
Williams Olefins Chemical Plant Explosion – Geismar, LA
On Thursday, June 13, 2013, the Williams Olefins chemical plant, located in Geismar, Louisiana, tragically exploded, claiming the lives of two workers and injuring over 100 others. The incident was reported shortly after 8:30 AM, and by 10:30 AM roads were blocked and residents and workers nearby were told to stay inside their homes and businesses.
29-year-old Zachary C. Green of Hammond and 47-year-old Scott Thrower of St. Amant were killed in the explosion.
Williams is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company. Its Geismar plant makes 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene annually. Ethylene is commonly used in the chemical industry and is highly flammable.
In December 2013, OSHA cited the company for six safety violations and imposed a $99,000 fine against it. According to local reports, OSHA’s Baton Rouge Director Dorinda Folse said the company failed in its responsibility to “find and fix” safety violations and ensure the safety of its workers. The company was cited for mixing hot water with propylene, failing to provide “pressure protection” for a pressure vessel; failing to properly document workplace training; and failing to “promptly correct deficiencies” discovered by an internal compliance audit. Williams Olefins and the Chemical Safety Board also conducted investigations into the causes of the plant explosion.
The attorneys at the Lambert Firm have seen first-hand the devastating physical and financial consequences of refinery explosions and other industrial accidents. We have over 35 years of experience handling these types of claims and can get you the results that you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a refinery or plant explosion, contact us today. We are committed to ensuring that our clients receive the maximum compensation possible.