Port Arthur Refinery Sees Second Crane Collapse In A Year

For the second time in less than a year, the Motiva refinery located in Port Arthur, Texas has reported a crane accident in relation to the refinery expansion that is expected to be completed in 2012.

In April, a worker was killed during a similar crane collapse at the same site. It is unknown if the crane collapse was caused by the same factors as the first crane collapse, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration office is expected to investigate the work accident further.

The crane fell backward while it was lifting pipes. According to a Motiva spokesperson, the crane accident didn’t injury any construction workers and did not have a significant impact on the project.

The $7 billion construction project at the Motiva Port Arthur refinery will increase the location’s crude oil capacity by more than double, making it the largest oil refinery in the country.

Texas leads the country in workplace accidents, seeing an average of 450 on-the-job fatalities each year.