Injured workers, widows sue FirstEnergy over fatal power plant incident
Daniel Moore
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 17, 2017
FirstEnergy Corp. is facing accusations of “carelessness and negligence” for a release of toxic gas in August that killed two workers and injured four others at its coal-fired power plant in Beaver County.
The widows of the two deceased workers and two of the injured workers have filed lawsuits against the Akron, Ohio-based energy company, demanding a total of $130,000 for personal losses suffered and a wide range of injuries sustained.
The lawsuits, originally filed in common pleas court in Allegheny and Beaver counties in October and November, were moved on Thursday before a federal judge the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. They are separate from an ongoing investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
A FirstEnergy spokeswoman said on Friday the company is working on an internal investigation into what happened and declined to comment on the lawsuits.
The incident, which unfolded during the overnight hours on Aug. 29-30, involved the release of a toxic gas called hydrogen sulfide, also known as sewer gas. According to the lawsuits, which all lay out the same details leading up to the incident, what began as routine plant maintenance quickly became a scene of horror.
Around 11:30 p.m., a five-man crew of contractors employed by Cincinnati-based Enerfab Corp. descended into a confined space with concrete walls to remove an elbow joint from a pipe. One FirstEnergy employee supervised from the top.
They were told by FirstEnergy employees the pipe contained water, the lawsuit claims. In addition, the suit alleges the pipe was not properly marked with warning labels showing the pipe contained toxic gases.
During the work, a circuit breaker tripped, knocking out power and light. One of the crew members, Thomas Cantwell, 31, of Crafton, climbed out of the space to reset the circuit breaker and restore lighting. Sometime after reaching the top, he began to hear screams from below: The pipe contained not only water, but hydrogen sulfide and likely a sludge of coal waste.
Nathaniel W. Compton, 31, of Wellsville, Ohio, and Michael Gorchock, 43, of Pittsburgh, frantically climbed the ladder. Mr. Compton pushed Mr. Gorchock out before losing consciousness, while Mr. Gorchock and Mr. Cantwell also lost consciousness.
Two workers could not escape — Kevin Patrick Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, and John Michael Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh. The lawsuit claims they died either from inhaling the gas or drowning in sludge released from the pipe.
Mr. Bachner is survived by his wife, Kerri Ann Bachner, and two sons: 2-year-old Killian and 10-month-old Kaycen.
John Gorchock is survived by his wife, Alisa M. Gorchock, and two daughters, 10-year-old Lilly and 7-year-old Rubie. He also left behind a grieving brother, Michael Gorchock, who is suffering from nightmares and suicidal thoughts, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuits were originally filed separately in state court in Allegheny and Beaver counties by Ms. Bachner, Ms. Gorchock, Mr. Gorchock and Mr. Cantwell. Ms. Bachner, Ms. Gorchock and Mr. Cantwell are each asking for $35,000, and Mr. Gorchock is asking for $25,000.
Robert J. Mongeluzzi, a personal injury lawyer based in Philadelphia, is listed as the plaintiffs’ lawyer. His firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
At power plants, workplace safety experts say, employees can encounter hydrogen sulfide when working near the wastewater treatment systems that clean or recycle the facility’s waste product, which can contain a slow-moving mixture of hazardous pollutants. It is unclear where exactly the workers were located within the plant.
The pipe likely contained a sludge that was a liquid or muddy consistency, a hydrogen sulfide expert said after the incident. The colorless gas, which has a sulfurous “rotten egg” smell at low concentrations, can be lethal when inhaled in confined, underground spaces where workers could encounter stagnant pools of water or waste material, he said.
Among other violations, the lawsuit alleged the pipe did not have an emergency shutoff valve and an air ventilation system that could have moved toxic fumes from the confined space.
OSHA is investigating the incident. OSHA’s reviews of workplace fatalities typically take six months, but there is no public timeline on the Bruce Mansfield incident.
Bruce Mansfield is FirstEnergy's largest coal-fired plant. OSHA has inspected the plant six times since 2007, according to online records maintained by the agency. Two of those inspections, one in 2011 and the other in 2013, resulted in violations that for which FirstEnergy paid $15,500 to settle.
======================
SHIPPINGPORT, Pa. (KDKA) – Two workers are dead and three others were being treated for injuries after a gas leak early Wednesday morning at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County.
Pennsylvania State Police say troopers and emergency crews were called to the power plant around 1:15 a.m. The plant is owned by FirstEnergy and employs about 350 workers.
According to State Police, the Enerfab workers were doing contract work with Penn Energy at the plant. They were working in a well-type area to remove an elbow joint from a pipe.
Two men were in a pit below, one was on a ladder and the other two were about 20 to 50 feet on a wall above.
When they removed the elbow joint, it released hydrogen sulfide gas.
“The line was not supposed to be charged, obviously. They got to the last bolt to crack it open and when they did so, this nauseous gas… hydrogen sulfide type mixture immediately incapacitates you,” State Police Lt. Eric Hermick said.
Two of the five workers were unable to make it out of the well and died as a result. They have been identified as Kevin Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, and John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh.
Three other workers inhaled the gas, but were able to get out of the well. They were transported by helicopter and ambulance to nearby medical facilities.
They have been identified as Mark Wagner, 31, of Pulaski; Thomas Cantwell, 31, of Crafton; and Michael Gorchock, 43, of Pittsburgh.
One was taken to Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. The other two were being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
News of the accident hit especially hard at the Boilermakers Union Hall on Banksville Road. John Gorchock’s wife, Lisa, is on the staff there.
Family friend Anthony Sabat says, “John was a great human being who loved his family. His wife Lisa and three kids were top priority, second to none. John was easy to get along with, funny, happy all the way around.”
As for Bachner, friends say he was about as “Pittsburgh” as you can get. He was a devoted husband and a proud father of two, ages 1 and 3.
His friend Tony Kostelnik says, “He loved his family, he loved all sports. He worked hard for this family and traveled a long ways for some jobs for them. So sad it had to end that way.”
Three members of the Boilermakers crew survived, including Gorchock’s brother, Michael, who is in Allegheny General Hospital along with Wagner, both are listed in stable condition at Allegheny General.
Cantwell was taken to Heritage Valley Beaver, where he was treated and released. Back home in Ingram, Cantwell is resting and not wanting to talk about what happened.
He said, “I really don’t want to think about it, I lost some very good friends today.”
“This plant has a terrific work history. They’re very safety conscious. It’s surprising that something like this happened. It must have been a real unexpected mishap,” Rohn Sambol said.
State police say first responders did all they could to rescue the men that were trapped, but it was too late.
“It’s probably second-worst type of situation to respond to because you want to help somebody that’s in a life-threatening situation. But, you already see that there’s people that are down that already tried to get over to them or that are close to it. That’s heart-wrenching. I compare that to going into a school shooting,” Lt. Hermick said.
FirstEnergy has released the following statement:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who died in this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who were injured, and we wish them a quick recovery.”
A FirstEnergy spokeswoman said there was absolutely no danger to other workers in the plant or people living in the surrounding area following the incident.
The Bruce Mansfield Power Station is FirstEnergy’s largest coal-fired power plant. It’s located along the Ohio River, approximately 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
OSHA will also be investigating the incident.
==============
I wish I could get on here and say it's not true. I wish this was a bad dream. I wish I could hug my best friend again, even for a split second. I wish I didn't have to tell my babies that the absolute best daddy in the entire world isn't here anymore. He was truly my other half my heart and soul.
I am completely numb and speechless about this whole tragedy. Kevin worked day in and day out like a dog to provide the best for us.
Thank you to everyone that had reached out. I will keep everyone updated as soon as arrangements are finalized.
Please keep my boys & the rest of our family in your prayers
Kerri Bachner and Kevin Bachner
==============
I would like to give my condolences to the families of Kevin Bachner & John Gorchock. Plus the others who are in critical condition Mark Wagner & Thomas Cantwell & Micheal Gorchock. All who are my brothers in solidarity out of Boilermakers Local 154. A tragic day at Shippingport. Love y'all & I will miss y'all.
Anthony Lucas
===============
These are the faces to this morning's accident at FirstEnergy's Bruce Mansfield Power Plant early this morning.
John Gorchock was a father to two little girls. Had countless friends and family who will miss him dearly. Family that's also praying for his older brother, Michael, who a friend tells me is in an Intensive Care Unit today. John Gorchock was 42.
Kevin Bachner was just 34 years old. As his picture shows, he was an avid Pirates fan and also a father to two little boys. Friends say Bachner worked incredibly hard to support his family.
Both men were killed when a pipe they were working on that was thought to have been de-activated spewed hydrogen sulfide gas out. Both men died at the scene.
Please keep their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers tonight, along with the three people who were hurt in this accident.
Daniel Moore
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 17, 2017
FirstEnergy Corp. is facing accusations of “carelessness and negligence” for a release of toxic gas in August that killed two workers and injured four others at its coal-fired power plant in Beaver County.
The widows of the two deceased workers and two of the injured workers have filed lawsuits against the Akron, Ohio-based energy company, demanding a total of $130,000 for personal losses suffered and a wide range of injuries sustained.
The lawsuits, originally filed in common pleas court in Allegheny and Beaver counties in October and November, were moved on Thursday before a federal judge the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. They are separate from an ongoing investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
A FirstEnergy spokeswoman said on Friday the company is working on an internal investigation into what happened and declined to comment on the lawsuits.
The incident, which unfolded during the overnight hours on Aug. 29-30, involved the release of a toxic gas called hydrogen sulfide, also known as sewer gas. According to the lawsuits, which all lay out the same details leading up to the incident, what began as routine plant maintenance quickly became a scene of horror.
Around 11:30 p.m., a five-man crew of contractors employed by Cincinnati-based Enerfab Corp. descended into a confined space with concrete walls to remove an elbow joint from a pipe. One FirstEnergy employee supervised from the top.
They were told by FirstEnergy employees the pipe contained water, the lawsuit claims. In addition, the suit alleges the pipe was not properly marked with warning labels showing the pipe contained toxic gases.
During the work, a circuit breaker tripped, knocking out power and light. One of the crew members, Thomas Cantwell, 31, of Crafton, climbed out of the space to reset the circuit breaker and restore lighting. Sometime after reaching the top, he began to hear screams from below: The pipe contained not only water, but hydrogen sulfide and likely a sludge of coal waste.
Nathaniel W. Compton, 31, of Wellsville, Ohio, and Michael Gorchock, 43, of Pittsburgh, frantically climbed the ladder. Mr. Compton pushed Mr. Gorchock out before losing consciousness, while Mr. Gorchock and Mr. Cantwell also lost consciousness.
Two workers could not escape — Kevin Patrick Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, and John Michael Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh. The lawsuit claims they died either from inhaling the gas or drowning in sludge released from the pipe.
Mr. Bachner is survived by his wife, Kerri Ann Bachner, and two sons: 2-year-old Killian and 10-month-old Kaycen.
John Gorchock is survived by his wife, Alisa M. Gorchock, and two daughters, 10-year-old Lilly and 7-year-old Rubie. He also left behind a grieving brother, Michael Gorchock, who is suffering from nightmares and suicidal thoughts, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuits were originally filed separately in state court in Allegheny and Beaver counties by Ms. Bachner, Ms. Gorchock, Mr. Gorchock and Mr. Cantwell. Ms. Bachner, Ms. Gorchock and Mr. Cantwell are each asking for $35,000, and Mr. Gorchock is asking for $25,000.
Robert J. Mongeluzzi, a personal injury lawyer based in Philadelphia, is listed as the plaintiffs’ lawyer. His firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
At power plants, workplace safety experts say, employees can encounter hydrogen sulfide when working near the wastewater treatment systems that clean or recycle the facility’s waste product, which can contain a slow-moving mixture of hazardous pollutants. It is unclear where exactly the workers were located within the plant.
The pipe likely contained a sludge that was a liquid or muddy consistency, a hydrogen sulfide expert said after the incident. The colorless gas, which has a sulfurous “rotten egg” smell at low concentrations, can be lethal when inhaled in confined, underground spaces where workers could encounter stagnant pools of water or waste material, he said.
Among other violations, the lawsuit alleged the pipe did not have an emergency shutoff valve and an air ventilation system that could have moved toxic fumes from the confined space.
OSHA is investigating the incident. OSHA’s reviews of workplace fatalities typically take six months, but there is no public timeline on the Bruce Mansfield incident.
Bruce Mansfield is FirstEnergy's largest coal-fired plant. OSHA has inspected the plant six times since 2007, according to online records maintained by the agency. Two of those inspections, one in 2011 and the other in 2013, resulted in violations that for which FirstEnergy paid $15,500 to settle.
======================
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Two Enerfab workers, Kevin Bachner, 34, and John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh, are dead and three others were being treated for injuries after a hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County
 |
| John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh, is dead after a hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County |
 |
| Kevin Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, dead, H2S poisoning |
SHIPPINGPORT, Pa. (KDKA) – Two workers are dead and three others were being treated for injuries after a gas leak early Wednesday morning at the Bruce Mansfield Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County.
Pennsylvania State Police say troopers and emergency crews were called to the power plant around 1:15 a.m. The plant is owned by FirstEnergy and employs about 350 workers.
According to State Police, the Enerfab workers were doing contract work with Penn Energy at the plant. They were working in a well-type area to remove an elbow joint from a pipe.
Two men were in a pit below, one was on a ladder and the other two were about 20 to 50 feet on a wall above.
When they removed the elbow joint, it released hydrogen sulfide gas.
“The line was not supposed to be charged, obviously. They got to the last bolt to crack it open and when they did so, this nauseous gas… hydrogen sulfide type mixture immediately incapacitates you,” State Police Lt. Eric Hermick said.
Two of the five workers were unable to make it out of the well and died as a result. They have been identified as Kevin Bachner, 34, of Pittsburgh, and John Gorchock, 42, of Pittsburgh.
Three other workers inhaled the gas, but were able to get out of the well. They were transported by helicopter and ambulance to nearby medical facilities.
They have been identified as Mark Wagner, 31, of Pulaski; Thomas Cantwell, 31, of Crafton; and Michael Gorchock, 43, of Pittsburgh.
One was taken to Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver. The other two were being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
News of the accident hit especially hard at the Boilermakers Union Hall on Banksville Road. John Gorchock’s wife, Lisa, is on the staff there.
Family friend Anthony Sabat says, “John was a great human being who loved his family. His wife Lisa and three kids were top priority, second to none. John was easy to get along with, funny, happy all the way around.”
As for Bachner, friends say he was about as “Pittsburgh” as you can get. He was a devoted husband and a proud father of two, ages 1 and 3.
His friend Tony Kostelnik says, “He loved his family, he loved all sports. He worked hard for this family and traveled a long ways for some jobs for them. So sad it had to end that way.”
Three members of the Boilermakers crew survived, including Gorchock’s brother, Michael, who is in Allegheny General Hospital along with Wagner, both are listed in stable condition at Allegheny General.
Cantwell was taken to Heritage Valley Beaver, where he was treated and released. Back home in Ingram, Cantwell is resting and not wanting to talk about what happened.
He said, “I really don’t want to think about it, I lost some very good friends today.”
“This plant has a terrific work history. They’re very safety conscious. It’s surprising that something like this happened. It must have been a real unexpected mishap,” Rohn Sambol said.
State police say first responders did all they could to rescue the men that were trapped, but it was too late.
“It’s probably second-worst type of situation to respond to because you want to help somebody that’s in a life-threatening situation. But, you already see that there’s people that are down that already tried to get over to them or that are close to it. That’s heart-wrenching. I compare that to going into a school shooting,” Lt. Hermick said.
FirstEnergy has released the following statement:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who died in this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who were injured, and we wish them a quick recovery.”
A FirstEnergy spokeswoman said there was absolutely no danger to other workers in the plant or people living in the surrounding area following the incident.
The Bruce Mansfield Power Station is FirstEnergy’s largest coal-fired power plant. It’s located along the Ohio River, approximately 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
OSHA will also be investigating the incident.
==============
I wish I could get on here and say it's not true. I wish this was a bad dream. I wish I could hug my best friend again, even for a split second. I wish I didn't have to tell my babies that the absolute best daddy in the entire world isn't here anymore. He was truly my other half my heart and soul.
I am completely numb and speechless about this whole tragedy. Kevin worked day in and day out like a dog to provide the best for us.
Thank you to everyone that had reached out. I will keep everyone updated as soon as arrangements are finalized.
Please keep my boys & the rest of our family in your prayers
Kerri Bachner and Kevin Bachner
==============
I would like to give my condolences to the families of Kevin Bachner & John Gorchock. Plus the others who are in critical condition Mark Wagner & Thomas Cantwell & Micheal Gorchock. All who are my brothers in solidarity out of Boilermakers Local 154. A tragic day at Shippingport. Love y'all & I will miss y'all.
Anthony Lucas
===============
These are the faces to this morning's accident at FirstEnergy's Bruce Mansfield Power Plant early this morning.John Gorchock was a father to two little girls. Had countless friends and family who will miss him dearly. Family that's also praying for his older brother, Michael, who a friend tells me is in an Intensive Care Unit today. John Gorchock was 42.
Kevin Bachner was just 34 years old. As his picture shows, he was an avid Pirates fan and also a father to two little boys. Friends say Bachner worked incredibly hard to support his family.
Both men were killed when a pipe they were working on that was thought to have been de-activated spewed hydrogen sulfide gas out. Both men died at the scene.
Please keep their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers tonight, along with the three people who were hurt in this accident.