Des Moines propane tank company fined $166K after two workers injured in separate, same-day explosions

A tank servicing company based in Des Moines faces $166,423 in fines due to injuries suffered by two workers in two separate propane tank explosions in April during an inspection.

The company, Calhoun Tanks & Services, violated multiple safety requirements, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), including one willful serious violation. In Washington, a “willful serious violation” issued by L&I happens when an employer intentionally disregards a hazard or rule, and there is a high probability that a worker could be seriously injured or killed.

“When two Calhoun workers cut open piping to the underground tank, propane leaked, causing flammable gas and vapor to spread throughout a fenced area where above-ground tanks are sited,” L&I stated. “The gas and vapor eventually reached a vaporizer unit that converts the liquid propane in the above-ground tanks into gas. The vaporizer has a battery-powered auto-ignitor that was not ‘locked out’ to prevent it from turning on, and when it kicked on, the propane in the air ignited, causing an explosion.”

No one was hurt in the first explosion. With no injuries suffered, the owner of Calhoun Tanks failed to modify any of the settings, according to L&I, even telling inspectors he did not see the button to shut off the ignitor.

A second explosion that very same day

After no changes in safety protocols were made, a second explosion broke out just two hours later, badly burning two workers. A video of the explosions can be seen here.

One worker suffered burns to approximately 30% of his body and spent more than a month in the intensive care unit. Another employee suffered burns to his arms, but was able to be released from the hospital the same day.

“It didn’t just happen once. The employer knew the risks and allowed it to happen again,” Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said. “These workers will carry those scars the rest of their life because their employer ignored common sense rules to keep them safe.”

The fines would go to the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund.

In addition, L&I cited Calhoun Tanks for three serious violations for the lack of training for its employees. A copy of the full citation can be seen here.

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