Special Agent Noel E. Remagen, 42, died after suffering a stroke while supporting President Donald Trump's trip to Scotland

Washington, DC (CNN)

A United States Secret Service agent died after suffering a stroke while supporting President Donald Trump's trip to Scotland over the weekend, the Secret Service said Wednesday.

The 42-year-old agent, who is now being identified as Special Agent Noel E. Remagen, was working on protection for national security adviser John Bolton on the midnight shift when he was found to be unresponsive by colleagues at Trump's Turnberry resort Saturday night.

Remagen was quickly attended to by a White House doctor and Secret Service colleagues before being rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he passed away on Sunday, a law enforcement source told CNN.

Remagen is survived by a wife and two small children, and was the son of a retired Secret Service employee.

The President and first lady Melania Trump departed for Joint Base Andrews Wednesday afternoon to see Remagen's family, the White House said.

"Melania and I are deeply grateful for his lifetime of devotion, and today, we pause to honor his life and 24 years of service to our Nation," the President said in a statement.
The Secret Service said in a statement that he had served for 19 years with the agency and was a "dedicated professional of the highest order." The agency said he was surrounded by members of his immediate family and colleagues when he died.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a tweet Wednesday, "Prayers for the Remagen family. We are all forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Secret Service, some of the greatest and bravest people in the country. We are sorry for your loss and are grieving with you."

The agent's body is being flown back to Washington on a military plane Wednesday and fellow Secret Service personnel will remain with his body until he is buried, another law enforcement source told CNN.

"Special Agent Remagen's repatriation to the United States represents the return of a fallen Secret Service Special Agent who exemplified the core values of the Secret Service - Justice, Duty, Courage, Honesty and Loyalty," the Secret Service said in a statement Wednesday.

THE DEATH OF JOSH ELLIS: the Smoky Mountain Opry was fined $22,300 by Tennessee OSHA because Opry exposed employees to an asphyxiation hazard after they purposefully purged carbon dioxide piping into an unventilated basement below the stage.

TOSHA report unveils new details from fatal Smoky Mountain Opry CO2 poisoning

By:
WATE 6 On Your Side staff


Updated: Jul 20, 2018
 

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - 

A Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation found the Smoky Mountain Opry committed several serious workplace safety violations that led to the death of an employee from carbon dioxide poisoning in March.

Josh Ellis, 38, died after a special smoke effect during a show at the Opry was left on and filled a room with gas.

According to the report, a supervisor told Ellis that the effect wasn't strong enough during the previous night's performance and told Ellis to make sure the carbon dioxide system that produces the effect was fully charged and ready when needed. TOSHA believes Ellis started purging carbon dioxide from the system about 14 minutes before the cue for the fog effect was needed. He purged the gas into the unventilated basement for 14 minutes, creating an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

More online: Read the full TOSHA report

The report says Ellis missed the cue to create the fog effect. When he couldn't be reached on the radio point, an employee went down to the basement and found him seizing on the floor. The employee radioed for help, but later said they didn't remember anything after that.

A short time later, two more employees went to the basement and saw Ellis and the other employee convulsing on the floor. One of the employees saw the carbon dioxide valve open and told the other to leave. The employee then passed out, telling investigators he didn't remember anything until he awoke on a helicopter headed for the hospital.

The three were finally rescued by emergency crews and rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Ellis died four days later.


 

Josh Ellis (Family photo) During their investigation, TOSHA found the Opry exposed employees to an asphyxiation hazard after they purposefully purged carbon dioxide piping into an unventilated basement below the stage. The report said employees were also exposed to the same hazard from unintentional leaks from a carbon dioxide storage container below the stage.

The investigation also found that the Opry didn't develop and implement an emergency response plan to use when employees responded to an uncontrolled carbon dioxide release. In addition, employees who responded to an uncontrolled release weren't required to wear oxygen masks.

Other violations included a failure to provide a written hazard communication program, didn't ensure workplace labels or other warnings were displayed on containers and failed to train employees on the hazardous chemicals in their work area.

As a result of the infractions, the Smoky Mountain Opry was fined a total of $22,300 and must show proof that they corrected all of the identified shortcomings.

The report also included a summary of the events leading to Ellis' death.

SPEED KILLS:Three people were killed in Hamden, Connecticut after a speeding SUV exiting the Route 40 connector, crossed four lanes of Whitney Avenue and crashed into a tree.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

HAMDEN, Connecticut --

Three people were killed in a one-car crash in Connecticut.

Police say the crash happened on Sunday morning in Hamden near the intersection of Whitney Avenue and Route 40 when an SUV was speeding, crossed four lanes and crashed into a tree.

Three people were killed. The three victims are a 21-year-old from Monroe, and a 29-year-old and 26-year-old from Bridgeport.

Their bodies have been transported to the Office of the chief Medical Examiner for autopsies.

Investigators are reconstructing the accident.

Speed kills, slow down.  Do not drink and drive.

The statistics show that most of the drunk-related crashes occur in the early am hours, like this one.  Drunk people speed and have no control over their driving.  We would not be surprised if the tox results come out positive for impaired driving.  These young people will not do that again as they reached their final destination.

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


HAMDEN, Connecticut
 
Hamden police are investigating after a SUV hit a tree early Sunday morning causing multiple fatalities.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the vehicle was exiting the Route 40 connector at a high rate of speed around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. It went across four lanes of Whitney Avenue and then hit the tree.

Police say the driver and the person in the front passenger seat had to be extricated from the vehicle. All three people inside the vehicle have been pronounced dead. They are identified as a 21-year-old Monroe resident, a 26-year-old Bridgeport resident and a 29-year-old Bridgeport resident.

Police have not released the names of any of the victims. Officers said it was difficult to identify them because of the severity of the crash. Their bodies have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner so autopsies can be performed.

Anyone with any information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Kevin Hall at (203) 230-4036.

One in ten underground coal miners who have worked in mines for at least 25 years were identified as having black lung. Prevalence of Black Lung Continues to Increase among U.S. Coal Miners

Prevalence of Black Lung Continues to Increase among U.S. Coal Miners

July 20, 2018

New Report Shows Increase Most Pronounced in central Appalachia

One in ten underground coal miners who have worked in mines for at least 25 years were identified as having black lung, according to a new report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published in the American Journal of Public Health. Coal miners in central Appalachia are disproportionately affected with as many as 1 in 5 having evidence of black lung–the highest level recorded in 25 years.

The data in this report come from NIOSH’s Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). NIOSH has operated the CWHSP and tracked the burden of black lung disease in underground coal miners since 1970. Through the Program, coal miners are offered periodic chest x-rays to detect early signs of black lung. For this study, NIOSH researchers looked at x-ray data collected by the CWHSP from working underground miners during 1970 to 2017.

This latest national estimate of 10 percent is higher than the previous NIOSH estimate last reported using data from 2012, which found 7 percent of coal miners who worked more than 25 years in underground mines had evidence of black lung.

“Breathing coal mine dust is the sole cause of black lung, and it is entirely preventable,” said David Blackley, DrPH, epidemiologist and one of the study’s co-authors. “This study provides further evidence that effective dust control methods and protections to reduce coal mine dust exposure along with early detection of the disease are essential to protect miners’ health.”

A Steady Increase
 
By the late 1990s, the proportion of screened miners with black lung disease reached the lowest level on record. However, after that time, the trend reversed. Since 2000, the nationwide prevalence of black lung has increased. Recent NIOSH research indicates an unprecedented increase in progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), the most severe form of black lung disease, after the prevalence of PMF had fallen to 0.08% among all miners examined by NIOSH in the CWHSP in the late 1990s.

While this is the first published report of the prevalence of black lung in the central Appalachian region, a 2016 report showed an uptick in the number of cases of PMF among working coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.

The current prevalence of severe black lung in this part of the country is as high as it’s been (5%) since record-keeping began in the early 1970s. Black lung disease is completely preventable and would not occur without hazardous coal mine dust exposures.

NIOSH Commitment
NIOSH is committed to addressing the current black lung epidemic and continues to work with partners to more fully define the scope of the problem and make recommendations. In addition to improving methods to control dust generated by mining activities, NIOSH scientists have recently worked to improve methods for detecting airborne coal mine dust to provide immediate warnings when dust levels are too high.
NIOSH continues to provide medical screening services to underground and surface coal miners so that they are informed of their health status and can take steps to protect it. Additionally, through its mobile outreach efforts, NIOSH is bringing medical screening to areas hit hardest by the epidemic.
For more information on the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program and NIOSH’s Respiratory Health Division, please visit the NIOSH website.
NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For more information about NIOSH visit www.cdc.gov/niosh.

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

Black lung disease on the rise

February 16, 2018 by Anna Allen And Carl Werntz, The Conversation

Coal worker’s lungs, with black pigmentation and fibrosis due to inhalation of carbon pigment and silica. Credit: Yale Rosen, CC BY-SA

An article published Feb. 6, 2018 in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health had identified 416 cases of advanced black lung disease among coal miners in central Appalachia. New cases of black lung had been rare until recently, but this study suggests that the incidence is rising. Anna Allen and Carl Werntz, professors of occupational medicine at West Virginia University who treat miners with black lung, explain what causes this disabling disease. 

What is black lung disease, and what causes it?

Underground mining is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Risks include inhaling toxic gases, such as methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide; being crushed by roof falls or mining equipment; drowning when tunnels fill with water; and injury in fires and explosions. Even if miners survive the workplace, they may suffocate to death years later.

Surface and underground mining is associated with two pneumoconioses, or dust diseases of the lung. Black lung disease, also known as coal workers' pneumoconiosis, comes from inhaling coal mine dust. The other disease, silicosis, is caused by inhaling silica dust from crushed rocks. Black lung and silicosis often appear together because coal seams are found between rock layers that contain silica.

When miners inhale dust, it deposits along their airways. Their bodies try to remove the dust by sending in special white blood cells called macrophages to engulf and chemically digest it. But the cells are unable to break down the dust, so they die and release enzymes that damage lung tissue. This causes problems that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema and fibrosis (scarring). In progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe version of black lung, scarring causes lung volume to shrink, further damaging adjacent lung tissue and making air exchange even worse.

Miners typically work 10 to 12 hours a day and up to seven days a week. This increases their exposure time and decreases the recovery time their bodies need to heal damage from silica and coal dust particles. Traditionally, black lung was associated with miners who had been working for at least 20 years, with symptoms often appearing after retirement. The recent trend is that black lung, including progressive massive fibrosis, is occurring after a shorter time in mining – as little as five years mining underground. 

In 1974 progressive massive fibrosis affected nearly 3.5 percent of coal miners with 25 or more years of underground mining tenure. Rates dropped precipitously under new protective rules but have since rebounded. Credit: Environmental Health Perspectives

The "hot spot" described in the JAMA study is in parts of western Virginia, southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. This area includes three of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration enforcement districts – areas where the agency inspects coal mines and investigates accidents and complaints from miners.

We see patients in Morgantown in north-central West Virginia and Cabin Creek in south-central West Virginia. We have noticed increased severity of disease in patients in the southern part of the state. During our first year, from June 2016 to May 2017, working in Cabin Creek providing federally authorized black lung exams, the incidence was 16 percent for black lung and about 6 percent for progressive massive fibrosis. In contrast, the same exams in our Morgantown clinic found black lung in less than 3 percent of cases, and only a few progressive massive fibrosis cases in four years.

What do you think could be causing more cases of black lung disease?
 
The increase is likely the result of several factors. Much of the coal in the area of the JAMA study is so-called "low coal," with seams that are only 20 to 36 inches high. This "low coal" is hard to mine but profitable because it is metallurgical coal, which has high value for steel production.

Manufacturers stopped producing shorter machines designed for mining "low coal" in about 1990 due to quality control problems. Now mines use taller machines designed for seams that are 32 to 36 inches high. As these machines cut coal from the seam, they must remove at least 12 to 16 inches of sandstone adjacent to the coal.

Cutting that much sandstone significantly increases miners' exposure to silica dust from the crushed rock. Newer machines also cut through coal and rock much more quickly than older models, generating more dust. Generally, what we call black lung is primarily silicosis in a coal miner, so silica exposure is significant to the development and progression of disease.

Working in "low coal" also involves more physical effort than mining "high coal." Crawling and stooping while carrying mining gear and operating equipment requires more physical effort. Miners breathe more heavily and frequently, which can increase dust exposure. And it is hard to keep air flowing smoothly through these smaller mines, so dust concentrations may be higher in some spots.

What does the coal industry do to prevent black lung?
 
Screening is available to current miners through the federal government's Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, which uses x-rays to detect early changes in the lungs. This information is shared with miners so they can decide whether to continue working in coal mining, but is kept private from their employers.

The main way to prevent black lung is to keep miners from inhaling dust. After 20 years of debate, recent changes in federal law decreased the allowed exposure from 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter of air to 1.5 milligrams. Continuous personal dust sampling has also been implemented so that miners can have real-time data on their exposures. This information is then used to determine whether a mine requires more frequent inspections.

To decrease dust exposure, mine operators can spray water to knock dust out of the air, increase air flow in tunnels to move dust out more quickly, or require miners to wear respirators.

Mobile unit for providing coal miner health screenings. Credit: NIOSH

What resources are available for miners who may have black lung?

Black lung diagnosis can be complicated. Some of the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance, chronic cough, coughing up phlegm and inability to breathe lying flat. Other diseases can cause similar symptoms, so it is important for miners to talk to their primary care doctors. 

Some states have workers compensation programs that offer benefits to workers diagnosed with black lung. The Federal Black Lung Program provides medical coverage for eligible miners with lung diseases related to pneumoconiosis, along with benefits for those who are totally disabled by it, and for families of miners who die of black lung disease.

There is no cure for black lung disease – we can only treat symptoms. Medications, such as inhaled steroids, can help patients breathe more easily. More severe cases can require oxygen and possibly lung transplants. One step patients can take is to stop smoking, which also destroys lung tissue. Smoking does not cause black lung, but it can make the symptoms more severe.

A mechanic at Fraser Surrey Docks was killed Saturday after a piece of equipment he was working on crushed him in British Columbia

Worker killed at Fraser Surrey Docks
Union says man in his 40s was crushed by a piece of equipment on Saturday
CBC News · Posted: Jul 21, 2018 6:56 PM PT | Last Updated: July 21'This is a very sad day — a worker went to his job this morning and didn’t go home to his family,' said ILWU Canada President Rob Ashton in a release about the death. (Google Maps)

A man working at Fraser Surrey Docks was killed Saturday after a piece of equipment he was working on crushed him, according to the worker's union.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada [ILWU] Local 502 issued a news release about the death at the docks, which is a marine terminal on the Fraser River in Surrey, B.C., It has been in operation since 1962.

The union says the worker, who is in his 40s, was a mechanic, but also a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115.

The victim has not been identified.
'We must do more'

Rob Ashton, the president of the ILWU Canada, says the death is being investigated by Employment and Social Development Canada, which regulates the docks.

"We can and we must do more to protect all workers from deaths and injuries due to workplace accidents," Ashton said in a release.

The federal agency has not yet responded to inquires about the death.
Safety record

David Ballard, 54, Vice President of Health Insurance Underwriting Group, is accused of pocketing more than $13.5 million from a corporate client by fraudulently issuing and collecting premium payments.

CHICAGO, IL (AP) — 

A Chicago vice president of an insurance underwriting group is accused of pocketing more than $13.5 million from a corporate client by fraudulently issuing and collecting premium payments.
 

A statement from the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago says that 54-year-old David Ballard is charged with one count of wire fraud. If the Chicago man is convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Filings allege the money was used on personal expenses, including expensive dinners and trips.

The statement did not name the companies and filings in court did not include the name of an attorney for Ballard. A date for his arraignment has not been set.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 20, 2018

Vice President of Health Insurance Underwriting Group Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining $13.5 Million in Phony “Matching Deductible” Policies

CHICAGO — The vice president of an insurance underwriting group fraudulently obtained more than $13.5 million from a corporate client by fraudulently issuing and collecting premium payments on “matching deductible” policies, according to federal criminal charges filed today by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago.

DAVID BALLARD, 54, of Chicago, oversaw the Pennsylvania account of a large health care company.  From 2005 to 2016, Ballard fraudulently issued “matching deductible” insurance renewal policies that his employer had not authorized, according to a criminal information filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  Ballard created and submitted to the health care company phony estimates, invoices, binder letters and policies that outlined the purported terms of coverage, the charges allege.  He then had the premium payments diverted to a shell company that he controlled, the information states.  As a result of the scam, Ballard fraudulently pocketed more than $13.5 million, which he used to pay personal expenses, including credit card bills, expensive dinners, travel costs, and real estate for himself and his family, according to the charges.

Ballard is charged with one count of wire fraud, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.  Arraignment in U.S. District Court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled.
The charge was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The public is reminded that an information is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Levin.

A black Toyota Corolla slammed into the back of Hillsborough County fire rescue truck as it was responding to a separate single vehicle accident in Hillsborough, Florida

Sad irony this morning on I-4! While responding to a car accident on the side of the road, our Engine 26 was struck from behind by a third vehicle (black Corolla below) causing the driver of that car to become entrapped. We got him out and airlifted to a local hospital.




HILLSBOROUGH, FL — 

A car slammed into the back of Hillsborough County fire rescue truck as it was responding to a separate single vehicle accident Saturday morning.

The driver of the black Toyota Corolla became trapped inside the vehicle. Firefighters from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Engine 26 were able to extract the unidentified driver from the vehicle that struck them.

He was airlifted to a local hospital, according to HCFR.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The firefighters were responding to another crash that occurred around 7 a.m. Saturday morning on I-4 Westbound just East of Branch Forbes Rd. A driver in a white Toyota Corolla appeared to have spun out of control, striking the median divider, responders said. The driver of the white Corolla sustained minor injuries. No injuries were reported for the Engine 26 crew

OSHA has cited auto parts manufacturer Arkal Automotive USA Inc. for exposing workers to electrical and amputation hazards.

July 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Alabama Auto Parts Manufacturer
For Exposing Employees to Safety Hazards

AUBURN, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited auto parts manufacturer Arkal Automotive USA Inc. for exposing workers to electrical and amputation hazards. The Auburn, Alabama, company faces $47,857 in proposed penalties.

OSHA investigators responded to a complaint that employees were not properly protected while entering injection molding machines. OSHA cited the employer for inadequate machine guarding; failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures during machine maintenance and servicing; failing to implement safety procedures for entering a robotic cage; and exposing employees to hazardous energy.

“Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe injuries when they are not properly guarded and safety procedures are absent,” said OSHA Mobile Area Office Director Joseph Roesler. “Arkal Automotive USA Inc. failed to identify and correct hazards to ensure the safety and health of their employees.”

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

OSHA cited Carlos Ketz, who operates as Ketz Roofing, for the sixth time in the past five years for exposing employees to falls. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $48,777.

July 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Wisconsin Contractor
For Repeatedly Exposing Workers to Falls

APPLETON, WI ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Carlos Ketz, who operates as Ketz Roofing, for the sixth time in the past five years for exposing employees to falls. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $48,777.

OSHA inspectors cited the roofing contractor – based in Menasha, Wisconsin – after observing employees working without adequate fall protection on a commercial building in Appleton.

"Employers are required to provide fall protection to employees working in construction at heights above 6 feet,” said OSHA Appleton Area Office Director Robert Bonack. “Ketz Roofing’s repeated failure to comply with federal safety requirements exposes employees to fatal injuries from falls, which remains the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

Hearings underway to determine the cause of the Port Arkansas, Texas explosion: 2 crew members, Dujour Vanterpool, 26, of Houston, and Zachariah Jackson, 28, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were killed in the explosion of the B. No. 255, a barge owned by Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc.

Coast Guard Convenes Hearing on Deadly Port Aransas Barge Explosion

The U.S. Coast Guard’s investigation into last year’s deadly barge explosion off the coast of Port Aransas, Texas, entered a new phase on Monday, as a joint hearing got underway in Houston to determine the cause of the blast.
Dozens of witnesses are scheduled to testify during the 2-week proceeding, which is being held in cooperation with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

Barge Explosion Tragically Killed 2 Crew Members

The B. No. 255, a barge owned by Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc., was just 3 miles off the Texas coast when it blew up shortly before 4:30 a.m. on October 20, 2017.
2 crew members, Dujour Vanterpool, 26, of Houston, and Zachariah Jackson, 28, of Salt Lake City, Utah, were killed in the explosion.
While Vanterpool’s body was found several days later, Jackson’s remains were never recovered.
Jackson’s brother told KRSTV that his family is hoping that findings from the Coast Guard inquiry will help prevent similar catastrophes in the future.
“We want it to be safe for everybody, not just for that company, but for the industry. It could have been prevented, definitely,” Morgan Jackson said.

First Mate: “We were Constantly Finding Things We Needed to Fix”

During the hearing’s first day, investigators heard from Lonnie Roberts, First Mate aboard the Buster Bouchard tugboat, who testified that he saw blue flames surge across the deck of the barge  just prior to the explosion.
“That’s what I saw, the blue flames that were taking over that area where the guys were,” he said. “It was on a path…like the flames were following something.”
Roberts also fielded questions on the safety procedures followed aboard the vessel, specifically in relation to a fuel leak that was being monitored in a stern compartment.
“The tug had a lot of issues. We were constantly finding things we needed to fix,” Roberts stated. “From the point of view of guys on the tug, a lot of things were pushed off.”

Three oilfield workers were injured Wednesday, when a series of fiery explosions erupted at a Devon Energy saltwater disposal site in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma.

3 Oilfield Workers Injured in Explosion at Devon Energy Saltwater Facility in Kingfisher, Oklahoma

Three oilfield workers were injured Wednesday, when a series of fiery explosions erupted at a Devon Energy saltwater disposal site in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma.
According to county emergency management personnel, the initial blast was reported shortly after 3:00 p.m. on July 18^th, at a facility located near Hwy 33 and Calumet Rd.
At least two more explosions followed, igniting a fire that responders were able to contain soon after they arrived on scene.

3 Contractors Rushed to Hospital with Burns

Three contract workers were rushed to Mercy Hospital in Kingfisher via a personal vehicle:

• Will Davidson, 38, of Oklahoma City
• Colby Bigby, 21, of Hennessey
• Torin Smith, 25, of Edmond

All of the men suffered burns, including one worker who was then flown to Baptist Integris in Oklahoma City.
No further information regarding the injured workers’ condition has been released.
All others working at the site have been accounted for.

Explosion Occurred During Tank Cleaning

At least two tractor-trailers and a pickup truck were burned in the fire.
A preliminary investigation conducted by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission indicates that workers were using chemicals and a vacuum truck to clean tank bottoms when the first explosion occurred.

The oilfield worker killed in a WPX Energy tank battery explosion Wednesday near Loving, New Mexico was so badly burned he could not be identified after police found his body.

Man burned beyond recognition in fatal Loving tank battery fire
Adrian C Hedden, Carlsbad Current-Argus 

July 19, 2018



(Photo: DeJanay Booth/Current-Argus)


A man killed in a tank battery explosion Wednesday near Loving was so badly burned he could not be identified after police found his body.

The deceased oilfield worker died when the facility owned by WPX Energy ignited at about 12:45 p.m. in an area off U.S. Refinery Road.

Another man was injured and treated for burns, read a news release from WPX.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the facility completely engulfed in flames and evacuated the site, according to the release.

During the Sheriff’s Office’s initial investigation, the deceased could not be located.

As the scene was processed, his body was found but was unrecognizable, said Lt. Matt Hutchinson with the Sheriff’s Office.

“As a result of the injuries, physical identification is not possible,” Hutchinson said. “That kind of ID will be done at the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) level.”

Such a report, he said, could take several weeks to be processed.

The Sheriff’s Office’s Detectives Division is taking the lead on investigating the cause of death, Hutchinson said.

“The oil and gas industry is booming right now,” he said. “Unfortunately, incidents like this do occur. The oilfield can be a very dangerous job.”

The blaze was extinguished as of Wednesday night, read a WPX news release, with multiple Eddy County agencies assisting with fire suppression and emergency response.

Eleven tanks were involved in the fire. Eight held produced water. Two held residue oil and another held an oil separation unit.

All oil wells that feed into the facility from remote sites were shut in on Wednesday and remained so overnight.


“Everyone involved has a heavy heart today,” said WPX spokesman Kelly Swan. “The oil patch is a close-knit community where people care deeply about each other and the important work they do.”

The facility was released by authorities by noon Thursday, Swan said, and local WPX staff began clean up at the site while monitoring soil conditions around the area.

WPX is also working with local agencies and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to determine the cause of the fire.

The facility holds a saltwater disposal well for oilfield byproduct from production operations, with supporting equipment on the surface such as injection pumps and storage tanks.

WPX has 70 employees in New Mexico supporting the company’s operations in the Permian Basin, read the release.

Faulty electrical system caused the fire that took the lives of Reggie McCloud, 42, and David Washington, 57, who both died of smoke inhalation in Valdosta, GA

July 19, 2018

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- The Valdosta Fire Department has determined a faulty electrical system sparked a house fire that killed two people and left another in critical condition.
Crews responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Sustella Avenue around 5:15 a.m. Saturday.
The first unit found heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the home. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters began to search the residence and located three people.
Reggie McCloud and David Washington Jr. died at the scene. A third man was transported to South Georgia Medical Center before being life-flighted to a burn hospital in Augusta. The victim's condition is unknown at this time.
Those living nearby said it's a close knit neighborhood where everyone knows everyone. Neighbors said no one has been able to recover from the tragedy.
"Since then my office and I look over there and see how sad it looks, it's just hard to fathom. I tell you it's just so sad, the whole street is in mourning to be honest with you," said Hoke Hampton who lives and works across the street.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failure or malfunctions cause nearly 34,000 house fires per year, resulting in 440 deaths and $1.3 billion in property damage.
Warning signs of faulty wiring or electrical systems include flickering or dimming lights, switches or outlets that are hot to the touch or emit an acrid odor, discolored cords, outlets and switch plates and repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers.

---

By: Emma Wheeler | WCTV Eyewitness News
July 15, 2018
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- Lowndes County officials have confirmed two of the victims of a Saturday morning house fire.
Reggie McCloud and David Washington Jr. died after a fire broke out in a home northwest of downtown Valdosta. It happened around 5:15 Saturday morning at a home on Sustella Avenue.
McCloud and Washington died on the scene. A third man was brought to South Georgia Medical Center before being life-flighted to a burn hospital in Augusta.
Neighbors said it only took a matter of minutes for the home to go up in flames. Bob Kruger lives across the street and said he saw flames coming from the home and called 911.
Kruger said he heard two popping noises before seeing the fire.
"I look out the window and see nothing but flames down one corner of the house. I grabbed my phone and called 911," Kruger said. "By the time the fire department got here it was across the other side. It went up like paper."
Neighbors said the streets was flooded with emergency personnel from the Valdosta Fire Department and Valdosta Police Department. Officials have not yet released the cause of the fire, but said it is still under investigation.
No new information has been released on the condition of the man brought to the hospital.

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By: WCTV Eyewitness News
July 14, 2018
VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- Two people are dead and another is in serious condition after a structure fire in Valdosta early Saturday morning.
The Valdosta Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Sustella Avenue around 5:15 a.m. The first unit arrived within five minutes and reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the residence.
Fire personnel started spraying the house to extinguish the fire. Later, additional units arrived and started to search the home.

During the search, VFD officials located three people and quickly removed them from the house. Two of the victims did not survive, and the third was life-flighted to a burn hospital. The victim's condition is unknown at this time.
VFD and the Valdosta Police Department are currently investigating a probable cause to the fire.

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Fatal fire cause determined

By Amanda M. Usher amanda.usher@gaflnews.com
Jul 19, 2018







VALDOSTA, GA — Electrical problems are the cause of a fatal fire that killed two people late last week, according to a Valdosta Fire Department report released Thursday.

The early morning July 14 fire at the 523 Sustella Ave. residence killed two people and critically injured one person. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental in nature.

Reggie McCloud, 42, and David Washington, 57, both died of smoke inhalation, Lowndes County Coroner Austin Fiveash said earlier this week.

The third person was life-flighted to Augusta Burn Center. Authorities had no additional information on this person.

Valdosta Fire Marshal James Clinkscales said the fire occurred at about 5:14 a.m. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in about five minutes, he said.

It had been about two or three years since a fatal fire occurred in Valdosta, Clinkscales said.

City officials said Thursday understanding the most common causes, warning signs and appropriate safety measures relating to electrical fires can help prevent them.

"To prevent an electrical fire, learn to recognize the warning signs that indicate a possible wiring or electrical problem. We stress that you contact a licensed electrician immediately to examine and repair electrical problems," according to city officials.

Incorrectly installed wiring, overloaded circuits and extension cords, defective or improper plugs, switches and outlets and misuse and poor maintenance of lighting are among the most common causes of electrical fires, officials said.

Indications of a coming electrical fire consist of flickering or dimming lights, switches or outlets that are hot to touch, discolored cords, outlets and switch plates, repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers.

"Working smoke alarms help save lives by warning occupants of smoke in the home. The Valdosta Fire Department has a free smoke alarm program that is available to residents within the city limits," according to city officials.

Contact the VFD at (229) 333-1835, or at valdostacity.com/fire, for more information. 

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Valdosta fire victims identified

By Terry Richards & Amanda Usher The Valdosta Daily Times
Jul 15, 2018







VALDOSTA, GA — The coroner has identified the two men who died in a fire Saturday.

Reggie McCloud, 42, and David Washington Jr., 57, both of Valdosta, died of smoke inhalation, Lowndes County Coroner Austin Fiveash said Sunday. Their families have been notified, he said.

The blaze at 523 Sustella Ave. also left one person injured, according to Valdosta Fire Department officials.

Fire officials have pinpointed where the fire started, but the cause of the fire is unknown, Valdosta Fire Marshal James Clinkscales said.

The injured person was in critical condition Saturday and taken to South Georgia Medical Center, Clinkscales said. Fire Chief Freddie Broome confirmed the person was life-flighted to an unknown location.

The Valdosta Fire Department was alerted to the fire at 5:14 a.m. and discovered flames and smoke coming out of the front of the building after arriving. Clinkscales said it took firefighters about five minutes to extinguish the fire.

It has been about two or three years since a fatal fire has occurred in Valdosta, Clinkscales said.