OSHA fines three companies for fatal pipeline explosion in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has levied fines totaling $108,000 against three companies in connection with a pipeline explosion that killed one man and injured three others in 2009 in Smith County, Mississippi.
The explosion occurred on July 15 along Smith County Road 99 near Sylvarena, Miss.
Workers were using nitrogen to pressure-test the pipeline. During the tests, something caused the line to explode, officials said. OSHA said the lid on the separator where the pipes attached flew off, throwing portions of the massive pipe into the air.
James Lee Candler, 40, of Sulphur, La., was killed during the explosion.
OSHA fined Mustang Engineering $65,000; Grand Bluff Construction Co., of Beckville, Texas, $38,500; and Priority Energy Services of Chicago. $4,9000.

OSHA cites three companies in fatal Midcontinent Express accident

JACKSON, Miss. - Three companies are being cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for exposing workers to hazards during the construction of gas pipeline meter stations in Mississippi.
Mustang Engineering L.P., Grand Bluff Construction LLC and Priority Energy Services received citations for failing to protect their workers after one died and three others were critically injured.
OSHA began its investigation after a July 2009 explosion at a meter station construction site in Raleigh, Miss., killed one worker. A second Priority Energy Services worker was critically injured, along with two Grand Bluff Construction workers.
"This tragedy could have been avoided if the companies involved had followed government and industry standards when conducting their
pressure tests," said Clyde Payne, director of OSHA's Jackson Area
Office.