MEC&F Expert Engineers : 04/27/18

Friday, April 27, 2018

Commercial fishermen experience fatalities at a rate much higher than that of all U.S. workers, partially driven by falls overboard, a leading cause of work-related deaths in the industry.










Fatal Falls Overboard in Commercial Fishing


Posted on April 26, 2018 by Samantha Case, MPH



April 28th is Workers’ Memorial Day where we remember those who have lost their lives while trying to make a living. The current issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) includes workplace fatality, injury and illness data; a QuickStats which demonstrates differences among employment categories in influenza vaccination; and the article summarized in this blog, “Fatal Falls Overboard in Commercial Fishing — United States, 2000–2016.” Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, with a work-related fatality rate 23 times higher than for all workers in 2016 1. Falling from a fishing vessel is a serious hazard responsible for the second highest number of fatalities in the industry after vessel sinking events 2, 3. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed data on unintentional fatal falls overboard in the US commercial fishing industry to identify gaps in the use of prevention strategies. NIOSH researchers examined each fall overboard to determine the circumstances of the fall, including worker activity, primary cause, and contributing factors. Recovery attempts were also considered, noting any use of survival or rescue equipment and administration of medical treatment.
Results

During 2000-2016, 204 commercial fishermen died from unintentionally falling overboard. The study found that fatalities occurred most frequently on the East Coast (30%), followed by the Gulf of Mexico (29%), Alaska (25%), and the West Coast (13%). The remaining five deaths occurred off Hawaii. The type of fishing operations with the highest number of fall overboard deaths were: Gulf of Mexico shrimp (34), East Coast lobster (18), Alaska salmon drift gillnet (16), and East Coast scallop (10).

Many falls occurred while crewmembers were working on deck with fishing gear, including 35 falls while setting gear and 20 falls while hauling gear onboard. Thirty-four falls also occurred while crewmembers were on deck while off duty. The leading causes of falls were losing balance (32%), tripping or slipping (32%), and becoming entangled in gear (21%). The most commonly identified contributing factors included working alone (49%), alcohol and/or drug involvement (18%), and inclement weather (12%).

None of the victims wore a personal flotation device (PFD) when they died. A life ring was used in 19 events but most often did not result in a successful recovery of the person in the water. A man-overboard alarm was only reportedly used in one event. The majority of falls were not witnessed, and most of these fishermen were not found in the ensuing search. Of the 30 total crewmembers who were recovered from the water within an hour, CPR was attempted on 21 to no avail.
Prevention and Next Steps

Preventing falls overboard is a priority area in fishing safety. A variety of strategies can be implemented to prevent crewmembers from falling from a vessel, including: creating enclosed workspaces; raising the gunnels on the vessel; and using lifelines and tethers where possible. Because fishing operations differ, workers in some fisheries are more exposed to entanglement hazards than others, especially if they work with lines while setting gear. Engineering controls, such as line bins, can help control hazards by reducing the amount of line on deck. In addition, enforcing drug and alcohol-free policies on vessels might reduce the likelihood of crewmembers unintentionally falling overboard.

A striking finding from this study is that none of the victims were wearing a PFD when they died. Without flotation, victims can drown within minutes after immersion in cold water from cold-shock responses and limited swimming ability. Although regulations mandate commercial fishing vessels carry a PFD for each crewmember, there are no requirements for fishermen to wear them while working Many fishermen recognize the effectiveness of PFDs to prevent drownings, yet concerns regarding discomfort, cost, work interference, and potential for entanglement hinder widespread adoption throughout the industry . Comfortable and workable PFDs are available that can alleviate these concerns, and one manufacturer has even developed a flotation vest based on feedback from fishermen. See the NIOSH campaign “Live to be Salty” which encourages PFD usage.

The majority of fatal falls overboard in this study were not observed, likely resulting in search and rescue delays and reducing the chances of a successful recovery. A man-overboard alarm worn by a worker that relays to the remaining crewmembers or even nearby vessels that a fall overboard occurred, can enable prompt rescue efforts. Use of this technology has not been widely adopted by the fishing industry, despite its potential to save lives and be incorporated into work gear.

The difficulty of retrieving a person from the water was underscored in this study. Although rescue attempts were made within one hour for 69 victims, over half were unsuccessful. Effective recovery devices, such as lifting slings, can provide additional flotation and help hoist the person back onto the vessel. By participating in marine safety training and drills, crewmembers will be prepared to respond to a man overboard event. Fishermen who work alone face additional challenges and should have ladders and engine shutoff devices available to facilitate re-boarding.

Timely treatment of a fall overboard victim, including performing CPR, preventing further heat loss, and rewarming the victim, is a priority. None of the 30 crewmembers who were recovered back onboard within one hour were revived. Successful treatment might be more likely if professional medical assistance is obtained as soon as possible. However, this is a challenge for much of the fishing industry when operating in remote locations.

On average, the number of falls overboard decreased by 3.9% annually from 2000-2016. While this overall decline is encouraging, these events remain a leading contributor to commercial fishing deaths and are largely preventable. The implementation of prevention strategies by vessel owners as discussed above could likely continue this positive trend and enable these workers to stay safe while working at sea.

We would like to hear from you. Tell us how you have encouraged the use of PFDs on commercial fishing vessels.


Samantha Case, MPH, is an epidemiologist in the NIOSH Western States Division.

For More Information:

The NIOSH Commercial Fishing Safety Topic Page

Fishing Safety Success Story: My Life Vest Saved Me

A Story of Impact: PFD Manufacturer Adopts NIOSH Research into Product Development Process

Assessment of Safety in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Island Crab Fleet

Reducing Winch Entanglements with Auxiliary-stop Device

Reducing Winch Entanglements with Stationary Guarding

References
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) – current and revised data. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2017. https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm.
Lincoln JM, Lucas DL. Occupational fatalities in the United States commercial fishing industry, 2000-2009. J Agromedicine. 2010 Oct;15(4):343-50.
Lucas DL, Case SL. Work-related mortality in the US fishing industry during 2000-2014: New findings based on improved workforce exposure estimates. Am J Ind Med. 2018 Jan;61(1):21-31. 


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Fatal Falls Overboard in Commercial Fishing — United States, 2000–2016


Summary

What is already known about this topic?
Commercial fishermen experience fatalities at a rate much higher than that of all U.S. workers, partially driven by falls overboard, a leading cause of work-related deaths in the industry.

What is added by this report?
During 2000–2016, 204 commercial fishermen died from unintentional falls overboard. Fifty-nine percent of falls were not witnessed, and 89.3% of these victims were not found. Among 83 witnessed falls, 22 victims were recovered but not resuscitated. None wore a personal flotation device (PFD).

What are the implications for public health practice?
Prevention strategies can be implemented to prevent future fatalities, including reducing fall hazards; using PFDs, man-overboard alarms, and recovery devices; and training crewmembers on resuscitation and treatment.

Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, with a 2016 work-related fatality rate (86.0 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers) 23 times higher than that for all U.S. workers (3.6) (1). Sinking vessels cause the most fatalities in the industry; however, falling from a fishing vessel is a serious hazard responsible for the second highest number of commercial fishing–associated fatalities (2,3). CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) analyzed data on unintentional fatal falls overboard in the U.S. commercial fishing industry to identify gaps in the use of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies. During 2000–2016, a total of 204 commercial fishermen died after unintentionally falling overboard. The majority of falls (121; 59.3%) were not witnessed, and 108 (89.3%) of these victims were not found. Among 83 witnessed falls overboard, 56 rescue attempts were made; 22 victims were recovered but were not successfully resuscitated. The circumstances, rescue attempts, and limited use of lifesaving and recovery equipment indicate that efforts to reduce these preventable fatalities are needed during pre-event, event, and post-event sequences of falls overboard. Vessel owners could consider strategies to prevent future fatalities, including lifeline tethers, line management, personal flotation devices (PFDs), man-overboard alarms, recovery devices, and rescue training.

A case of commercial fishing–associated overboard fall fatality was defined as a fatal traumatic injury resulting from an unintentional fall from a commercial fishing vessel in United States waters during 2000–2016. Fishermen often live on their vessels when working and are exposed to hazards while off duty; therefore, victims were considered to be at work for the entire time they were at sea. Cases were identified from NIOSH’s Commercial Fishing Incident Database, a national surveillance system that collects detailed information on all work-related fatalities in the fishing industry; data sources include U.S. Coast Guard investigative reports, local law enforcement reports, medical examiner documents, and news media. Records for each fall overboard were reviewed to determine the circumstances of the fall, including time in water, any use of survival or rescue equipment, recovery attempts, and administration of medical treatment. A descriptive analysis of event and decedent characteristics, including year, geographic region, fishery,* victim demographics, worker activity, primary cause of the fall, and contributing factors, was conducted. The trend in the number of fatal falls overboard over the course of the study period was evaluated using Poisson regression.

During 2000–2016, unintentional falls overboard resulted in 204 fatalities, representing 27.0% of all work-related deaths in the industry. Fall-overboard fatalities ranged from a high of 20 in 2003 to a low of five in 2016 (Figure 1). On average, the number of falls overboard decreased by 3.9% annually (incidence rate ratio = 0.961; p = 0.006).
Fatalities occurred most frequently on the East Coast (62; 30.4%), followed by the Gulf of Mexico (60; 29.4%), Alaska (51; 25.0%), and the West Coast (26; 12.8%). Five deaths occurred off the Hawaiian Coast. The Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery had the highest number of fall-overboard deaths (34; 16.7%), followed by East Coast lobster (18; 8.8%), Alaska salmon drift gillnet (16; 7.8%), and East Coast scallop (10; 4.9%).

Among 187 (91.7%) decedents with information available on age, the median age was 43 years (range = 16–77 years). Overall, 202 (99.0%) decedents were male (Table). The majority of victims were employed as deckhands (120; 58.8%), and among 94 (46.1%) with information on years of experience, victims had a median of 16 years of experience in the fishing industry (range = 0–65 years). Nine victims (4.4%) were confirmed to have taken formal marine safety training.

Among 152 (74.5%) fatalities for which information on victim activity preceding the fall was available, half (77; 50.7%) occurred while the victims were working with fishing gear, including setting gear (35; 23.0%), hauling gear onboard (20; 13.2%), and handling gear on deck (12; 7.9%). Falls also occurred while crewmembers were on deck while off duty (34; 22.4%). Among 149 (73.0%) cases where the cause of the fall was known, the leading causes were losing balance (48; 32.2%), tripping or slipping (47; 31.5%), and becoming entangled in gear (31; 20.8%). Of all 204 falls, the most commonly identified contributing factors included working alone (99; 48.5%), alcohol and drug use (37; 18.1%), and inclement weather (24; 11.8%).

The majority of falls (121; 59.3%) were unwitnessed, and most of these victims (108; 89.3%) were not located within an hour of the fall (Figure 2). For the 83 witnessed falls overboard, 56 (67.5%) rescue attempts were made, with 22 victims recovered but none successfully resuscitated.

In all instances, none of the victims was wearing a PFD at the time of death. Among 19 (9.3%) events in which use of a life ring was noted, recovery attempts failed in most cases (14; 73.7%). A man-overboard alarm was only reportedly used in one event. Among the 30 crewmembers who were recovered from the water within an hour, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted on 21 (70.0%), but none could be resuscitated.

Discussion

Preventing falls overboard is a priority area in fishing safety (24). Primary prevention strategies include creating enclosed workspaces, raising the gunnels§ on the vessel, and using lifelines and tethers where possible; vessel modifications should be conducted in consultation with a naval architect or engineer. Because of differences in fishing methods, workers in some fisheries are more exposed to entanglement hazards than are others, especially those who work with lines while setting gear (e.g., East Coast lobstermen). Engineering controls, such as line bins that catch excess line while hauling gear, can control hazards by reducing the amount of line on deck. In addition, enforcing drug- and alcohol-free policies on vessels might reduce the likelihood of crewmembers unintentionally falling from a vessel.

Without flotation, victims can drown within minutes after immersion in cold water through cold-shock responses, including hyperventilation and aspiration, as well as the deterioration of muscle function from lowered temperature, impeding swim efforts (5). Although federal regulations mandate that commercial fishing vessels carry a PFD for each crewmember, there are no requirements for fishermen to wear them while working.

 Lack of PFD use is associated with workers’ negative perceptions and attitudes toward PFDs. Many fishermen recognize the effectiveness of PFDs to prevent drownings, but concerns regarding discomfort, cost, work interference, and potential for entanglement hinder widespread adoption throughout the industry (6,7). In 2008, NIOSH conducted a study in which participants in several Alaskan fisheries wore and evaluated various PFD types. Although preferences differed by fishery, each identified favorable PFDs that were acceptable to work in (8). On the basis of this research, one manufacturer worked collaboratively with the fishing industry and developed an innovative PFD that was responsive to workers’ concerns (9). Additional PFD evaluations have been conducted in the Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico, and New England. Attempts to increase PFD use should continue, particularly given the increased commercial availability of comfortable and workable PFDs.

The majority of fatal falls overboard in this study were not observed. An unwitnessed fall overboard results in search and rescue delays and reduces the chances of a successful recovery. A man-overboard alarm is a small device worn by a worker that, in the event of water immersion, relays a signal to a receiver on the vessel and sounds an alarm to enable prompt rescue efforts. Use of this technology has not been widely adopted by the fishing industry despite its potential to save lives and be incorporated into work gear.

Although rescue attempts were made within 1 hour for 69 victims, over half (39; 56.5%) were unable to be recovered from the water, underscoring the difficulty of retrieving an overboard fall victim. Effective recovery devices, such as lifting slings, can provide additional flotation and help hoist the victim onto the vessel. Participation in marine safety training and drills can prepare crewmembers in man-overboard response and recovery. For fishermen who work alone, a reboarding ladder should be available on the vessel for self-rescue. Some man-overboard alarms include engine shutoff features that would keep the vessel nearby to facilitate reboarding.

None of the 30 crewmembers who were recovered onboard within 1 hour could be resuscitated. Successful treatment might be more likely if professional medical assistance were possible, a challenge when operating in remote locations. Having first-aid trained crewmembers administer CPR, prevent further heat loss, and rewarm the victim is a priority (5).

The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, the level of missing data varied among cases, and for at least one variable (years of experience), exceeded 50%. This circumstance might have introduced bias by underestimating certain fall or decedent characteristics when variables with missing data were analyzed. Second, denominator data were unavailable to enable calculation of fatality rates. A decreasing trend in the number of falls overboard was observed, but it is unclear if risk similarly declined. Finally, data were not available on nonfatal falls overboard. Comparison of fatal and nonfatal events might help identify factors associated with the successful rescue of crewmembers from the water.

Although the overall decline in the number of fatal falls overboard is encouraging, these largely preventable events remain a leading contributor to commercial fishing deaths. Implementation of prevention strategies discussed in this report by vessel owners could continue this positive trend and result in substantial safety improvements within the industry. Future research can include activities to understand barriers to adoption of these prevention strategies, particularly in fisheries where these events occur frequently, and evaluate the efficacy of interventions, as supported by the NIOSH strategic plan (10).

Conflict of Interest

No conflicts of interest were reported.

Corresponding author: Samantha Case, scase@cdc.gov, 907-271-1569.
1Western States Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.

* Fishery was defined as the fish species targeted and geographic location in which the fishing vessel was operating at the time of the event. Gear type was specified when multiple methods of harvesting could apply.
A life ring is a circular flotation device carried on a vessel that can be used in a man-overboard recovery attempt. The life ring is attached to a line and can be thrown to the person in the water to provide immediate buoyancy and prevent drowning while rescue attempts continue.
§ The gunnel, also known as gunwale, is the uppermost edge of the side of a vessel.
Requirements for Commercial Fishing Industry Vessels, 46 C.F.R., Chap. 1, Part 28; 2012.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities: census of fatal occupational injuries (CFOI)—current and revised data. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2017. https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm
  2. Lincoln JM, Lucas DL. Occupational fatalities in the United States commercial fishing industry, 2000–2009. J Agromed 2010;15:343–50. CrossRef PubMed
  3. Lucas DL, Case SL. Work-related mortality in the US fishing industry during 2000–2014: new findings based on improved workforce exposure estimates. Am J Ind Med 2018;61:21–31. CrossRef PubMed
  4. Lucas DL, Lincoln JM. Fatal falls overboard on commercial fishing vessels in Alaska. Am J Ind Med 2007;50:962–8. CrossRef PubMed
  5. Golden FS, Tipton MJ, Scott RC. Immersion, near-drowning and drowning. Br J Anaesth 1997;79:214–25. CrossRef PubMed
  6. Lucas DL, Lincoln JM, Carozza SE, et al. Predictors of personal flotation device (PFD) use among workers in the Alaska commercial fishing industry. Saf Sci 2013;53:177–85. CrossRef
  7. Weil R, Pinto K, Lincoln J, Hall-Arber M, Sorensen J. The use of personal flotation devices in the northeast lobster fishing industry: an examination of the decision-making process. Am J Ind Med 2016;59:73–80. CrossRef PubMed
  8. Lucas D, Lincoln J, Somervell P, Teske T. Worker satisfaction with personal flotation devices (PFDs) in the fishing industry: evaluations in actual use. Appl Ergon 2012;43:747–52. CrossRef PubMed
  9. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A story of impact: PFD manufacturer adopts NIOSH research into product development process. DHHS (NIOSH) publication no. 2015–119. Anchorage, AK: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; 2014. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-119/pdfs/2015-119.pdf
  10. CDC. NIOSH strategic plan: FYs 2019–2023. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/about/strategicplan/
Return to your place in the textFIGURE 1. Number and trend* of unintentional fatal falls overboard (N = 204) in the commercial fishing industry, by year — United States, 2000–2016
The figure above is a combination bar and line graph showing the number and trend of unintentional fatal falls overboard (N = 204) in the commercial fishing industry, by year, in the United States during 2000–2016.* Significant decrease in the number of fatalities during 2000–2016 (Poisson regression, no exposure; incidence rate ratio = 0.961, p = 0.006).
The figure above is a combination bar and line graph showing the number and trend of unintentional fatal falls overboard (N = 204) in the commercial fishing industry, by year, in the United States during 2000–2016.
TABLE. Characteristics of 204 unintentional fatal falls overboard in the commercial fishing industry — United States, 2000–2016Return to your place in the text
Characteristic (no. [%] known) No. (% of known)
Age group, yrs (187 [91.7])
≤24 17 (9.1)
25–44 84 (44.9)
45–64 79 (42.2)
≥65 7 (3.7)
Unknown (% of total) 17 (8.3)
Gender (204 [100.0])
Male 202 (99.0)
Female 2 (1.0)
Race/Ethnicity (144 [70.6])
Non-Hispanic
  White 72 (50.0)
  Asian 29 (20.1)
  American Indian/Alaska Native 16 (11.1)
  Black/African American 8 (5.6)
  Other 3 (2.1)
Hispanic 16 (11.1)
Unknown (% of total) 60 (29.4)
Position (204 [100.0])
Operator 79 (38.7)
Deckhand 120 (58.8)
Other 5 (2.5)
Experience, yrs (94 [46.1])
≤1 11 (11.7)
2–5 14 (14.9)
6–10 14 (14.9)
11–20 28 (29.8)
≥21 27 (28.7)
Unknown (% of total) 110 (53.9)
Worker activity before fall (152 [74.5])
Traffic onboard 11 (7.2)
On watch 11 (7.2)
Working with fishing gear
  Preparing gear 10 (6.6)
  Setting gear 35 (23.0)
  Hauling gear 20 (13.2)
  Handling gear on deck 12 (7.9)
Working with the catch 7 (4.6)
Off duty 34 (22.4)
Other 12 (7.9)
Unknown (% of total) 52 (25.5)
Cause of fall (149 [73.0])
Lost balance 48 (32.2)
Trip/Slip 47 (31.5)
Gear entanglement 31 (20.8)
Struck by gear/object 14 (9.4)
Washed overboard 9 (6.0)
Unknown (% of total) 55 (27.0)
Return to your place in the textFIGURE 2. Recovery status of unintentional fatal fall overboard victims (N = 204) and associated prevention strategies — United States, 2000–2016
The figure above is a chart showing the recovery status of unintentional fatal fall overboard victims (N = 204) in the United States during 2000–2016 and associated prevention strategies.The figure above is a chart showing the recovery status of unintentional fatal fall overboard victims (N = 204) in the United States during 2000–2016 and associated prevention strategies.

At least 11 workers injured, tens of thousands of residents evacuated, after a tank of crude oil or asphalt exploded at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Superior







Washington, DC, April 26, 2018 – 


A four-person investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of an incident that reportedly injured multiple workers this morning at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Superior, Wisconsin. The refinery was shutting down in preparation for a five-week turnaround when an explosion was reported around 10 am CDT.

According to initial reports, several people were transported to area hospitals with injuries. There have been no reports of fatalities. Residents and area schools near the refinery were asked to evacuate due to heavy smoke.



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SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN:



Here's the latest on the situation following an explosion and fire at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Superior, Wis.

• Full story: The explosion

The fire was reported out just before 7 p.m.
Superior Mayor Jim Paine told residents they could breathe easy as he announced numerous firefighters had successfully extinguished the blaze after it raged for nearly eight hours Thursday.

Multiple explosions were reported.
 
The first blast came at about 10 a.m. The second was at about 12:30 p.m. and numerous explosions were heard throughout the afternoon.
Fires followed both explosions.

What caused the blast? 

Authorities said a tank of crude oil or asphalt exploded at the refinery as it was shutting down the plant down for repairs. They have not speculated on what caused that initial explosion or what caused it to re-ignite.

No deaths were reported.
 
Initial injury reports were unclear. As of early Thursday afternoon, the injury toll was 11 and later dropped to six. The injured were taken to three area hospitals. One person's injuries were serious, an Essentia Health spokesperson said. 

Federal agencies are investigating. 
 
Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Chemical Safety Board will investigate. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will work with state and local officials and has six months to complete its probe. 

The Chemical Safety Board is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents.

Evacuations were widespread. 
 
At least three miles surrounding the refinery and about 10 miles downwind were under evacuation orders Thursday afternoon. During a press conference, Paine said officials hoped to lift the evacuation Thursday evening.

The evacuation comes close to 26 years after another, larger mass evacuation in Duluth and Superior that is still vivid in the memories of many Twin Ports residents.
On June 30, 1992, several train cars carrying hazardous chemicals — a mixture containing benzene — derailed and fell into the Nemadji River just south of Superior, creating a toxic cloud of benzene vapors that eventually grew to 20 miles long and 5 miles wide, the Duluth News Tribune later recounted.

The refinery gets heavy crude from the Alberta tar sands in Canada, and lighter crude from North Dakota's Bakken region.
 
It processes around 50,000 barrels per day and has a storage capacity of 3.6 million barrels. It makes gasoline, asphalt and other products.

The Superior refinery, which dates back to the 1950s, is much smaller than the one near the Twin Cities.
 
Flint Hills oil refinery, south of St. Paul in Rosemount, processes 600,000 barrels 

Calgary, Alberta-based Husky Energy has owned the refinery for about a year.
 
It purchased the facility from Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners last year for over $490 million. It is Wisconsin's sole refinery.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the refinery's owner $21,000 in 2015.
 
That's according to the Duluth News Tribune, which said it was the only OSHA enforcement action against the refinery in two decades. The fine was for emergency response and flammable liquids violations, and the problems were resolved that year.
Authorities ordered an evacuation of much of Duluth, Superior and the surrounding area, affecting more than 30,000 people.

============================





Authorities said Thursday that a fire at a northwestern Wisconsin refinery where an explosion injured at least 11 people was out, but that an evacuation order for residents of Superior would remain and be re-evaluated throughout the night.

Douglas County officials said Thursday evening that the fire was extinguished and residents in the evacuation area were being asked to stay away from their homes for at least another two hours. But late Thursday night, Superior police gave another update, saying the evacuation order would stay in place.

The fire had poured thick clouds of noxious black smoke into the air after the explosion rocked the refinery. Schools and a hospital also were evacuated.  


Authorities said a tank of crude oil or asphalt exploded about 10 a.m. at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Superior, a city of about 27,000 that shares a Lake Superior shipping port with nearby Duluth, Minnesota. That prompted them to order the evacuation of a 3-mile (5-kilometer) radius around the refinery, as well as a 10-mile (16 kilometer) corridor south of it where the smoke was heading.

It was unclear how many people evacuated, but Mayor Jim Paine said most of the city was being evacuated. The refinery is in an industrial area, but there's a residential neighborhood within a mile to the northeast. The corridor downwind to the south of the refinery is sparsely populated. Schools in Superior and nearby Maple, Wisconsin, canceled classes Friday as a precaution.

Hospital officials said only one of the injured was seriously hurt, with what was described as a blast injury. No deaths were reported, and officials said all workers had been accounted for.

Thick, black smoke poured from the refinery hours after the explosion. Refinery manager Kollin Schade said the smoke was from burning asphalt that was so hot that firefighters were unable to attack the fire to try to put it out. Emergency officials later said another tank had caught fire, too, though they didn't specify what was in it.

A four-person team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board will investigate the blast. The board makes safety recommendations after serious chemical incidents.

The fire was put out about 11:20 a.m. but reignited, prompting police to urge residents living within an evacuation area to leave. Police blocked roads into the area around the refinery. Three schools and St. Mary's Hospital in Superior were evacuated as a precaution.

A contractor who was inside the building told WDIO television that the explosion sounded like "a sonic boom" and that it happened when crews were working on shutting the plant down for repairs.

Kara Tudor, 30, and Julia Johnson, 27, live about 2 miles from the refinery and were ordered to evacuate. They quickly scooped up their two dogs and three cats, grabbed their toothbrushes and drove to a friend's house in Duluth, where they were watching the news for updates.

Johnson, who was working from home at the time of the blast, said the windows shook.

"It felt like something had hit the house, like a vehicle or a branch from a tree. ... Our dogs started barking. It was a stressful moment," Johnson said.

Johnson also wondered if a plane had crashed and feared the house might collapse. Johnson looked around but didn't see anything — then a few moments later saw dense black smoke rising over the trees.

By lunchtime, they had to go. Tudor went home as the clouds in the sky were masked by thick, black smoke and the air smelled like burning tires.

"It was scary," Tudor said. "We threw our dogs in (Johnson's) car. I put the cats in my car ... we grabbed our toothbrushes and just left. ... We were mostly focused on the pets because it smelled like burning tires outside and we knew that wasn't a good smell."

Tudor, a scientist at a research company, said residents were not told much about the potential danger, what was in the smoke or why it was so black. But she said it was clear people should not have been breathing it in and she wondered how it will affect the water and air quality.

Oil smoke can contain a mix of noxious hydrocarbons and other chemicals with potential short- and long-term health effects.

National Weather Service radar showed the smoke plume extending south-southeast, taking it into sparsely populated areas. The weather service said winds were expected to weaken Thursday evening and eventually shift toward Lake Superior. It said the smoke probably would not affect Duluth, a city of about 87,000.

Calgary, Alberta-based Husky Energy bought the refinery from Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners last year for more than $490 million. It's Wisconsin's only refinery, and it produces gasoline, asphalt and other products.

The refinery had been fined by federal officials several years ago under its previous owners.?U.S. Department of Labor spokesman Scott Allen said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Calumet Superior LLC $21,000 over emergency response and flammable liquids violations in 2015. The violations were settled and the problems resolved by the end of that year.

Allen said it was the only OSHA enforcement action taken against Calumet Superior LLC in the past 20 years. Calumet Superior operates as a subsidiary of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, which sold the plant to Husky Energy last year.?

The refinery, which dates back to the early 1950s, has a processing capacity of around 50,000 barrels per day and a storage capacity of 3.6 million barrels of crude and products. It processes both heavy crude from the Canadian tar sands in Alberta and lighter North Dakota Bakken crude.



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Updated: 7:05 p.m. | Posted: 11:12 a.m.

Residents, schoolchildren and hospital patients were evacuated from Superior, Wis., after a series of explosions at a massive oil refinery sent plumes of noxious black smoke into the air for miles and sent at least six people to area hospitals. There were no reported fatalities.

The fire was successfully extinguished using foam and water Thursday, said Superior Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Gordon.

Authorities said Thursday evening the evacuation orders would stay in effect as they continue to monitor smoke levels and as firefighters work to cool the tanks.

In a press conference, Superior Mayor Jim Paine said officials were hoping to lift the evacuations orders sometime Thursday evening.

Evacuees were being sent to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, where cots and food were being provided. It was unclear how many residents and others were impacted by the evacuation orders. Due to the refinery fire in Superior, officials advise evacuation of everyone within three miles in all directions and 10 miles south of the fire. National Weather Service


Precautions and investigations

Paine said Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was notified and state authorities were on stand-by if needed.

Investigative teams from two federal agencies were sent to begin probing the explosions and fires at Husky Energy that erupted around 10 a.m. and kept emergency workers on the perimeter of the refinery for hours.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said the refinery was shutting down in preparation for repairs when the explosion first erupted.

Authorities said a tank of crude oil or asphalt exploded at the refinery in Superior, a city of about 27,000 that borders Minnesota and the westernmost tip of Lake Superior. That prompted them to order the evacuation of a three-mile radius around the refinery, as well as a 10 mile corridor south of it where the smoke was heading.

The fire started after the blast and explosions could be heard throughout the afternoon as firefighters backed away from the scene. Authorities were weighing what to do about asphalt burning at the plant, Gorden said during an afternoon press conference.

"We've also been in touch with the National Guard. We put a potential plan in place where we might be utilizing the National Guard, we don't know if that's going to come to fruition or not yet," Gordan said. "But that's what we're doing here. We're trying to stay ahead of it, so if operations decides they do want to go offensive, that we're ready to support that."

Paine said the air is not dangerous to breathe. The evacuations are based on "potential risks," but he did not articulate what those might be.

The Superior School District announced on Facebook that all Superior Schools will be closed Friday.

A four-person investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents, was on the scene.

Authorities from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration were also headed to the refinery where they will work with state and local officials to look at workplace issues. The agency has six months to complete its probe.

 
Kara Tudor, 30, and Julia Johnson, 27, live about two miles from the refinery and were among those ordered out. They quickly scooped up their two dogs and three cats, grabbed their toothbrushes and drove to a friend's house in Duluth, where they were watching the news for updates.

Johnson, who was working from home at the time of the blast, said the windows shook. The Husky Energy refinery burns as seen from the air Thursday afternoon over Superior, Wis, on April 26, 2018. Bob King | Duluth News Tribune

"It felt like something had hit the house, like a vehicle or a branch from a tree. ... Our dogs started barking. It was a stressful moment," she said. She also wondered if a plane had crashed and feared her house might collapse. She looked around but didn't see anything — then a few moments later she saw dense black smoke rising over the trees.

Ulla Gustafsson-Carlson, who was picking up her 96-year-old mother-in-law to evacuate, said she first heard about the fire from friends in the Dominican Republic.

"I was sitting watching TV and I heard this boom and the windows started rattling, said Gustaffsson-Carlson who lives about 3 miles from the refinery.

"My brother-in-law works over there and I got really nervous."

But he called her mother-in-law to say he was not hurt.


Sounded like sonic boom

Observers said what sounded like additional explosions were heard around noon.

A contractor who was inside the building told WDIO television that the explosion sounded like "a sonic boom" and that it happened when crews were working on shutting the plant down for repairs.

Panger said the initial fire was out by 11:20 a.m., although smoke could still be seen rising from the plant. Superior police later said that the fire had reignited and urged residents living within a one-mile radius of the refinery to leave. The evacuation was later expanded to three miles in all directions and 10 miles south of the refinery.

Police blocked roads around the refinery. No damage estimate was available.

Evacuees were told to gather at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center or at Four Corners Elementary School in Superior.

Essentia Health spokesperson Maureen Talarico said five patients were being treated at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. One suffered a serious blast injury. Talarico said another five were treated at St. Mary's Hospital in Superior. None of the injuries were non-life threatening.

St. Mary's Hospital-Superior was evacuated as a precaution, Talarico said. Patients were transferred to St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Inpatient transfers were made to St. Mary's Medical Center, as well as Benedictine Health System.

In Duluth, spokesperson Jessica Stauber said St. Luke's Hospital treated one person. She did not know that patient's condition.


Wisconsin's only refinery bought last year

Calgary, Alberta-based Husky Energy refinery bought the refinery from Indianapolis-based Calumet Specialty Products Partners last year for over $490 million. It's Wisconsin's only refinery, and produces gasoline, asphalt and other products.

The refinery, which dates back to the early 1950s, has a processing capacity of around 50,000 barrels per day and a storage capacity of 3.6 million barrels of crude and products. It processes both heavy crude from the Canadian tar sands in Alberta and lighter North Dakota Bakken crude.

In 2015 the facility was fined $21,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for violations related to hazardous waste operations, emergency response and flammable and combustible liquids.

The company paid $16,800 for the violations after settlement talks. The issues were resolved in less than a year.

The 2015 violation was the only one under the facility's past two owners, according to a search of OSHA records.

However, prior owner Murphy Oil USA Inc. paid $179,100 in 2007 for multiple violations related to hazardous chemicals and emergency response, issues that were also resolved.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency show the refinery has had both air and water pollution violations over the last three years, including for discharge of more mercury, oil and grease than allowed into the Allouez Bay.

The refinery has paid $31,937 in penalties resulting from Clean Air Act violations in the past five years.

Data from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board does not show any investigations at the facility prior to Thursday's explosion.