groups, and the numbers and rates are likely to be higher when final results are
tabulated early next year.”
The BLS press release for the CFOI results is available at www.bls.gov/
news.release/ cfoi.nr0.htm.
CSB Issues Final Report on Xcel Energy Accident
Poor training was one of many factors that led to the October 2007 fire that killed five
industrial painting contractors inside an Xcel Energy hydroelectric plant tunnel in
Georgetown, Colo., according to a report issued by the
U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) on Aug. 25. The report
charges Xcel and its contractor, RPI Coating, with inadequate training of employees for hazardous work.
The accident occurred in the water tunnel, or penstock, of the hydroelectric plant while RPI contractors
were recoating a portion of the penstock. Vapor from a
flammable solvent used to clean paint-spraying equipment is thought to have ignited due to a static spark,
starting the fatal fire.
CSB Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso issued a letter to
Xcel that criticizes the company for failing to cooperate
with the CSB investigation. Moure-Eraso rebuked the company for undertaking legal
action to block publication of the report, and for leaking a confidential draft of the
report to the media on Aug. 12. Moure-Eraso wrote that Xcel’s “actions in the aftermath of the tragedy have been unique in the 13-year experience of the CSB.”
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