OSHA Opens Investigation After Worker Killed In Houston Plant Fire

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun its investigation into an east Houston plant fire that killed one worker last week. The fatal worker accident took place at the Enterprise Products plant in Mont Belvieu.

An initial investigation has revealed that the fire started because of a ruptured natural gas pipeline. Worker Rick Shaw died in the on-the-job accident, and it took rescuers more than a day after the fire started to recover the man’s body. Because the accident involved natural gas, it took the company hours to control the raging flames that could be seen for miles after the initial explosion.

Investigators wish to discover whether the fire was caused by a pipeline failure and whether the refinery where the accident took place was following all federal safety regulations. The company, which released a statement that included their condolences to Shaw’s family, is also investigating the Texas worker accident.