A forklift operator, 43, died after he got pinned between the forklift and a storage shelf inside The Chef's Warehouse in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx on Food Center Drive

A hard-working Bronx dad died in a horrific forklift accident at a Bronx warehouse early Thursday, when his head got wedged between the lift and a metal shelf, police said.

Shakeem Farnum, 43, was leaning out of the forklift, perhaps to get a clear sight line, when he got too close to a metal shelf inside The Chef’s Warehouse on Food Center Drive around 1 a.m., cops said.

His head was crushed between the forklift and the shelf. An EMS ambulance crew rushed him to Lincoln Hospital, where he died.

“He was working on his lunch break by himself. He was trying not to fall behind,” said a former co-worker, who was visiting Farnum’s family and friends in the courtyard of the Stevenson Commons apartment complex in Soundview, where the victim lived.


“It was a refrigerated warehouse and he was moving mostly large crates of milk on pallets. He was the hardest working guy in there,” said the co-worker, who wouldn’t give his name. “Everybody is devastated… he was one of the most experienced drivers there.”

Farnum, who worked at Chef’s Warehouse for about 20 years, would often take on the hard work to spare his less-experienced colleagues, the co-worker said.

“He was a real man. He was respected. He took care of his family and his grown daughter. He held his household down,” said family friend Michael Rivera, 35. “He also took care of his brother who died of cancer two years ago.”

Rivera added, “He was a mentor to all the young men out here.”

The Chef’s Warehouse released a statement about the accident Thursday.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic accident that took the life of our friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this most difficult time,” the statement reads. “We are committed to providing all our employees with a workplace environment that values safety above all else, and we will do everything possible to assist with the investigation of this accident.”


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NYPD: Forklift Operator Killed in Accident at NYC Warehouse
Authorities say a 43-year-old man has died in a forklift accident inside a New York City warehouse.


September 7, 2018 



NEW YORK, NY (AP) — Authorities say a 43-year-old man has died in a forklift accident inside a New York City warehouse.


The New York Police Department says officers responded around 1 a.m. Thursday to a 911 call reporting an injury at The Chef's Warehouse on Food Center Drive in the Bronx.


When officers arrived they found a forklift operator suffering from a severe head injury. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.


Late Thursday night police identified the victim as Shakeem Farnum of Lafayette Avenue in the Bronx.


Police say Farnum was operating a forklift when he leaned out of the vehicle and his head got wedged between the vehicle and a metal shelf.

The investigation into the accident is continuing.

The investigation remain ongoing, but authorities said no criminality is suspected.  Most likely his head was crushed by the storage shelf as he backed into it.

DRUNK AND SPEEDING HOOSIERS MEET THEIR MAKER: 28-year-old Brett Bundy, 27-year-old Jami Nicole Kinsler and 25-year-old Cassedy Brown, all of Cloverdale, Indiana died over the weekend when a car plunged into a steep ravine

 25-year-old Cassedy Brown, of Cloverdale, Indiana died over the weekend when a car plunged into a steep ravine

27-year-old Jami Nicole Kinsler died in the crash

 27-year-old Jami Nicole Kinsler, died in the crash

SPEEDING HOOSIERS MEET THEIR MAKER

PARAGON, Ind. (AP) —


A central Indiana coroner has released the names of three adults who died over the weekend when a car plunged into a steep ravine.

The Morgan County Coroner says 28-year-old Brett Bundy, 27-year-old Jami Nicole Kinsler and 25-year-old Cassedy Brown, all of Cloverdale, died in Sunday's crash.

Two boys, ages 8 and 4, were taken by helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment. Coroner Annette Butcher says Bundy was the boys' father.

Autumn Wray lives near the town of Paragon, about 30 miles southwest of Indianapolis. She says she yelled at the passing car to slow down just before it missed a turn at a T-intersection and plunged about 100 feet into the ravine.

Wray called 911 and then yelled into the ravine, telling the injured 8-year-old boy help was coming.

A series of human errors led to a BNSF Railway train striking and killing two BNSF roadway workers, 35-year-old Richard Lessert, a gang foreman, and 58-year-old Douglas Schmitz, a motor vehicle operator

 58-year-old Douglas Schmitz, a motor vehicle operator, also hit and killed by the BNSF train

Photo of Richard Lessert

 
Improper use of Train Approach Warning Led to Fatal BNSF Rail Worker Accident


​WASHINGTON (Sept. 6, 2018) — 

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a report published Thursday a series of human errors led to a BNSF Railway train striking and killing two BNSF roadway workers, one of whom was the designated “watchman/lookout.”

The Jan. 17, 2017, accident near Edgemont, South Dakota, occurred when a train traveling at 35 mph struck and killed two of three workers, who had been clearing snow and ice from a track switch.

The NTSB’s investigation found the sight distance at the switch was inadequate for the safe use of the train approach warning method with a single watchman/lookout, and, the watchman/lookout did not devote his full attention to detecting approaching trains. The watchman/lookout also was not provided the equipment necessary to perform his duties as required by federal regulations. Additionally, the work group had incorrect information regarding minimum-required sight distance and lacked the required time to move to the predetermined place of safety for the work group.

The probable cause for the accident states the Federal Railroad Administration’s inconsistent enforcement of federal regulations for watchman/lookout equipment requirements contributed to the accident.

“This is the 52nd fatal accident in the past 21 years involving railroad roadway worker safety in which 55 workers have been killed,” said Robert Hall, the NTSB’s director of the Office of Rail, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials. “These accidents are completely preventable when the people involved, from the workers to the regulators, follow well-established rules and perform their duties with a focus on safety.”

The 34-page final report is available at https://go.usa.gov/xPxR4

The accident docket, which includes photographs, interview summaries, factual reports and other materials used in the course of the investigation, is available at https://go.usa.gov/xPcWk. 

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

 

BNSF identifies employees killed in train incident near Edgemont 

January 31, 2017
By ALYSSA HENSRUD


The two men killed in the train accident have been identified by BNSF.

Railway employees 35-year-old Richard Lessert, a gang foreman, and 58-year-old Douglas Schmitz, a motor vehicle operator were fatally struck by a train on Tuesday.


Photo of Richard Lessert

According to the company's webiste, the men were struck while cleaning a switch on the Powder River Division.

Lessert lived in Black Hawk and was with BNSF for 10 years. Schmitz resided in Custer and was with BNSF for 39 years. Both men were headquartered at Edgemont.

BNSF issued a statement, expressing their feelings about the tragic incident.


The entire BNSF family extends its deepest sympathy to the families, friends and co-workers of Mr. Lessert and Mr. Schmitz

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident.

Jan. 17, 2017

EDGEMONT, S.D. - Two people were killed after being struck by a train near Edgemont.

BNSF Railway spokesperson, Amy McBeth, said the accident happened around 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday. A BNSF train struck and fatally injured two BNSF employees. Calling it a tragic accident, McBeth says BNSF officers are currently responding, and additional details will be released as they become available.

BNSF operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, with 32,500 miles of rail across the western two-thirds of the United States.

Damage from the historic rainfalls that drenched Dane County, Wisconsin in the past two weeks have topped $154 million. 1,544 residences were affected by the flooding, including five that were destroyed and 302 with major damage

WHEN MOTHER NATURE COMES CALLING, SHE DOES NOT CARE IF YOU SURVIVE OR NOT.  SO, SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP AND MOVE ON.

MIDDLETON, WI —

 Damage from the historic rainfalls that drenched Dane County, Wisconsin in the past two weeks have topped $154 million.


County officials estimate 1,544 residences were affected by the flooding, including five that were destroyed and 302 with major damage.


Insurance covered only about 2 percent of the $78.3 million in residential damage that occurred between Aug. 17 and Sept. 3, according to an estimate submitted to Wisconsin Emergency Management.


The flooding also caused more than $39 million in damage to public infrastructure and buildings.


And more than two weeks after a storm that dropped more than 14 inches of rain on the western part of the county, at least a dozen businesses are still closed or operating out of temporary housing and others are working to repair millions of dollars of damage.


The city of Middleton estimated Wednesday that total costs have exceeded $45 million, including $35 million to commercial properties and $4.7 million to residences.


Those damage totals are likely to climb as recovery continues.


“The important part about these numbers is they’re fluid,” said J. McLellan, spokesman for Dane County Emergency Management. “It probably has changed by now. … These numbers are the beginning of a process.”


In Middleton, some businesses, including the Fairfield Inn and Suites and Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, remain closed as owners work to repair damages.


The nearby Costco, where dozens of employees and customers spent a night stranded in the warehouse as about a foot of water covered the floors, reopened after eight days and incurred an estimated $1 million in property damage, according to the city.


Other companies have found ways to keep the doors open, even if those doors are somewhere else.


About 700 employees of UW Health are working at other locations as the organization works to repair an estimated $2 million in damage to its administrative building.


TDS Telecom lost the contents of a warehouse and field service center in Middleton as well as 10 vehicles, with an estimated $4 million in damage, according to the city.


But the company relocated workers to offices in Verona and Waunakee and brought in crews from other parts of the state to restore service to its customers, said public relations manager DeAnne Boegli.


“We believe we’re on a good track,” Boegli said.


After days of searching, the ANiU Salon and Spa reopened Thursday in the Phenix Salon Suites on Mineral Point Road and Nail Spa Plus on Whitney Way in Madison.


Manager Tonya Cramer said she expects to be in the temporary location for at least a couple of months.


The Primrose School of Middleton has been holding classes for its 130 students in the Blackhawk Church while working to replace drywall and disinfect the 12,000-square-foot building, which was inundated with floodwater and sewage.


“We’re doing everything we possibly can to get the school back open for our families,” said owner Amanda Kienbaum.


Gilda’s Club incurred what could be $1 million in damage when about 400,000 gallons of water poured into the basement of its clubhouse at 7907 UW Health Court.


“It was pretty much a big swimming pool down here,” said Josh Norton, senior water mitigation manager for Northstar Restoration Services.


Norton said it took about four days to pump the water out, and his workers pulled about a dozen truckloads of damaged building materials from the lower levels, which he was attempting to dry Wednesday with 17 dehumidifiers and about 130 fans.


Executive director Lannia Stenz said the water also destroyed eight furnaces and an elevator.


“But we’re coming back,” she said. “It’s a process and will take us months.”


In the meantime, the cancer support nonprofit group is holding meetings in nine off-site locations and is moving into temporary office space provided by Exact Sciences and Alphagraphics.


Stenz said the clubhouse had flood insurance, but Gilda’s Club is trying to raise money to cover the $100,000 deductible and any costs that exceed the $1 million cap.


She said renovation plans will include efforts to protect the clubhouse from future flooding.


“We’ve been around for a decade,” Stenz said. “And we plan to be around for decades more.”

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



As dry weather finally nears, waterlogged Wisconsin reports staggering 3-week rain totals


Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 

September 6, 2018

Many areas of waterlogged Wisconsin remained flooded Wednesday after more rain fell overnight, closing roads and schools and continuing to disrupt lives.

Damage from repeated rains and flooding in Dane County alone were estimated Wednesday at more than $154 million.

In Monroe County, someone impersonating a state Department of Natural Resources official went door to door in the town of Portland on Monday warning residents to evacuate immediately because of a pending dam failure though there was no danger of a dam failing.

And it was still raining Wednesday afternoon into the evening over much of central and southern Wisconsin.


The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued maps outlining estimated precipitation statistics and the numbers are astounding. Between the first flooding that started Aug. 16 through Wednesday, Mauston has gotten almost 19 inches of precipitation, Montello 18 inches and Port Washington, 14.12.

Other rainfall totals for that time period: West Bend, 12.98 inches; Tomah, 12.77; Viroqua, 12.54; Juneau, 11.78; Wautoma, 11.63; Fond du Lac, 11.53; Prairie du Chien, 10.76; Wisconsin Dells, 10.66; Madison, 10.37; Monroe, 10.15.


Those figures include rainfall of as much as 6 inches that fell Tuesday night and early Wednesday in southwestern, west-central and northwestern sections of Wisconsin.

More than 2,700 calls have come into the 211 phone line for flooding damage.

While several school districts canceled classes Tuesday, on what was supposed to be the first day of the school year, Montello schools remain closed through this week and Richland School District in Richland Center told students and staff members to stay home again Wednesday. School officials cited flooded and closed roads on school bus routes as well as worries about homes threatened by rising waters in their decisions to cancel classes.

An American Red Cross shelter was opened at the Richland Center Community Center because of significant flooding in the city and flash floods affecting several small communities in Richland County.

Fiber optic lines washed out from flooding in Richland County knocked out cellphone service Wednesday for some customers, the Sheriff's Department reported. Verizon technicians were working to restore service. Calls to 911 from Verizon phones were working.

Wisconsin National Guardsmen finished a sandbagging mission along I-39/90/94 in Columbia County and remain on standby.

Wisconsin will get $1.5 million in federal emergency relief transportation funding to help repair flood-damaged roads throughout the state, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) announced late Wednesday.

In Monroe County, a resident called the Sheriff's Department to report a man in civilian clothes was knocking on doors on Monday in the town of Portland claiming to work for the DNR. He told residents to flee because a dam was about to collapse.

A sheriff's spokeswoman said Wednesday that though two dams in the county did collapse last week, the condition of all other dams in the county was unchanged and there were no safety concerns.

Officials "would not go door to door unless it's a (DNR) warden which would be on request of emergency management. They would be in uniform and have identification and a badge," said Amy Meimann of the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.

Meimann didn't know how many homes were visited by the DNR impersonator. There were no burglaries or looting associated with the impersonator.

In Madison, all three Lake Monona boat launches remained closed and officials warned homeowners not to remove sandbags since flooding on swollen lakes and streams is expected to continue for several days.

Dane County Emergency Management submitted a formal estimate of flooding damage to the state and the numbers starkly revealed the devastation. Residential damage was estimated at more than $78 million with residents reporting that only 2 percent of that damage was insured.

A total of 1,544 Dane County residences were affected — five homes were destroyed, 302 homes sustained major damage, 857 with minor damage and 380 affected by flooding.

Dane County business damage was estimated at $37 million with 17 businesses sustaining major flooding damage. Local and county government damage and expenses associated with the flooding totaled $39 million including $2.2 million for clearing debris, almost $7 million for emergency response and repairs to roads, $10 million in losses to public utilities and $8 million in losses to public buildings and equipment.

Fortunately, the National Weather Service forecast for the rest of the week, beginning Thursday, is for dry conditions and mostly sunny skies with high temperatures in the 70s.

Private property owners should report flood and storm damage by dialing 211 or (877) 947-2211.

The pilot, 51, from Ottowa, Canada, died after he crashed his 1981 Cessna 340A plane owned by Flex Air Services Inc into a baseball field early Thursday morning in Kimball Township, Michigan

Cessna 340A, C-GLKX / 340A1221, Flex Air Services Inc

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) - 

The pilot of a small plane was killed in a crash that occurred early Thursday morning in Kimball Township.

Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office were told of a plane that was overdue to St. Clair County International Airport. 

After checking the area of the airport, deputies widened their search and located the plane. 

The aircraft crashed next to softball fields on Yager Road, east of Wadhams Road. The site of the crash was about a quarter mile west of the beginning of runway number 4 at the airport. 

The pilot, a 51-year-old man from Ottawa, Ontario, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. He was the only person aboard the plane. An FAA spokesperson said the pilot reported problems with the plane's right engine prior to losing radio communication with air traffic control.

Police say the plane is a 1981 Cessna model 340 twin engine. The plane reportedly had extensive damage.  The plane is owned/operated by Flex Air Services Inc.

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

FLEX Air provides services that support private, professional and commercially operated aircraft. Programs and services are designed to assist operators of aircraft and to allow owners to concentrate more on flying than maintaining their airplane. Those who want to fly aircraft on a regular basis, be it for pleasure, business, or both will enjoy the programs offered by FLEX Air.

General aviation, from experimental to commercially operated multi‐engine aircraft require ongoing care and attention – in some cases, more effort is required to maintain the aircraft than is actually spent flying it. Flex is able to carry out these tasks, permitting you to fly more of the time, with the comfort of knowing that the airplane is maintained to the necessary standards or better.

Fractional ownership programs allow you to own and fly aircraft that would normally be out of reach. Successful programs enable participants to identify the appropriate aircraft for their needs. FLEX Air then manages that program to ensure that each owner’s investment is protected and that they are able to use the aircraft as required.
======================================
Narrative:
 
Following a loss of engine power, the aircraft impacted open field terrain in Yager Road, east of Wadhams Road, while on the way to St. Clair County International Airport. 

The Canadian registered aircraft sustained substantial damage and the sole pilot on board was fatally injured.

 
FLEX Air Services was created to highlight the amazing flexibility of private aviation and to help businesses and pilots pilots fly more. We are developing aviation capabilities based out of the Carp airport on the West end of Ottawa.

Business people need to be super flexible and efficient with time in order to be effective. Time spent in commercial air terminals, densely packed airliners and then only to get halfway to the destination are robbing you and your staff of precious time. FLEX is working with local operators to bring affordable charter and scheduled commuter services to the community – keep watching for updates or send in a comment from our contact page if you would like to receive more information as it becomes available.

For owners of aircraft, it is not uncommon to spend more time prepping for a flight, maintaining the airplane, logging flight data and dealing with all of the paperwork than most pilots actually spend in the air. Our goal with FLEX is to facilitate general aviation by removing the overhead of flying. We accomplish this two ways – first by making ownership of an aircraft affordable for everyone, and secondly by removing the administrative and maintenance overhead from aircraft ownership.
 
FLEX is owned and operated by pilots and owners, and is a services business designed for businesses, pilots and owners. Based at the Carp airport (CYRP) in the West end of Ottawa, we are able to service aircraft based practically anywhere in Canada. If you are curious about something you would see as a benefit, please contact us with your request or recommendation. If you are looking for an aircraft to fly and do not want to buy and take care of an entire airplane yourself, please contact us and we may very well be able to put you in touch with others of like interest and need.

FLEX can assist with a number of things related to operating your airplane – from ferry flights, to day flights, managing airplanes, or adding fractional owners to your existing airplane. Don’t have an airplane but would like to get into one? We will put you in touch with the right broker or agent to find you the aircraft that you need. If your need has anything to do with connecting you with an aircraft, we can take care of you.

 

Sources:

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/one-dead-after-small-plane-crashes-in-st-clair-county
https://www.wxyz.com/news/one-dead-after-plane-crash-in-st-clair-county
_________________________
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/CGLKX
http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=530295&rfr=RchSimp.aspx

Date:	06-SEP-2018
Time:
Type:	Cessna 340A
Owner/operator:	Flex Air Services Inc
Registration:	C-GLKX
C/n / msn:	340A1221
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Kimball Township, Michigan -   United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	St. Clair County International Airport, MI (PHN/KPHN)

The fire at LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C.’s Grand Isle Block 115 “A” Platform in the Gulf of Mexico: operators must conduct proper hazard analyses when opening process vessels and tanks, and that operators use portable gas detectors when operating in the vicinity of fired vessels

(Photo: "Workers on the LLOG 115A platform inspect the fire tubes adjacent to the heater treater")


WASHINGTON, DC - 

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement today released the report of its panel investigation into a Nov. 12, 2016 fire at LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C.’s Grand Isle Block 115 “A” Platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The panel, including BSEE subject matter experts, engineers, and investigators, investigated the fire incident to determine the cause and contributing factors of the incident.

On the day of the incident, three Wood Group operators, contracted by LLOG, suffered burn injuries as a result of a fire that began in the vicinity of a heater treater on LLOG’s platform.

BSEE’s panel made several recommendations to reduce the likelihood of similar events in the future, including the recommendation that operators conduct proper hazard analyses when opening process vessels and tanks, and that operators use portable gas detectors when operating in the vicinity of fired vessels.

To read more about the panel investigation, including BSEE’s recommendations, the full report can be found here.

A memo from BSEE leadership in response to the report can be found here.

A Safety Bulletin has been sent to offshore operators and can be viewed here.

BSEE's National Investigations Program is administered by its Safety and Incident Investigations Division in Washington, D.C. Panel investigations, an integral tool for safety improvement, are chaired by division and regional staff, and conducted in coordination with region and district staff.
=================================

Executive Summary

On November 12, 2016, three Wood Group Operators contracted by LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. (LLOG) at their Grand Isle Area (GI) Block 115 “A” platform (the platform) suffered burn injuries while preparing to eliminate an emulsion pad that formed in the platform’s heater treater. The injuries occurred due to a fire that began in the vicinity of the heater treater when a flammable gas mixture migrated into the area and reached a heat source, completing the necessary requirements for ignition and sustainment of fire.

Since resuming production in March 2016 following structural modifications, excessive basic sediment and water (BS&W) caused frequent issues with maintaining production on the platform. In early November 2016, LLOG installed a steam unit, which resolved some of their BS&W issues. However, on the day of the incident, a mechanical malfunction occurred to the steam unit, resulting in an excessive emulsion pad in the heater treater that prevented LLOG and Walter Oil & Gas (WOG) from producing sales quality oil. To address this issue, crews usually drained the emulsion pad from the heater treater to one of the oil tanks on the cellar deck below, and then used a bucket to batch treat the emulsion with a chemical emulsion breaker.

The crew involved in the incident was preparing to troubleshoot the emulsion pad when the fire occurred. They made no attempt to isolate the heater treater, nor did they secure the fire tube burners. Without draining the emulsion pad, one operator, located adjacent to the heater treater flame arrestors on the platform’s main deck, prepared to batch treat the dry oil tank using a hose from a chemical tank on the main deck to the dry oil tank located on the cellar deck below. Another operator opened a hatch on the top of the dry oil tank to receive the hose. This action released a flammable vapor cloud that extended upward to the main deck.

Within a minute of the hatch being opened, the operator on the main deck, as well as another operator who had just walked up to him, described witnessing a flame coming from the general location of the heater treater flame arrestors. The flame ignited the existing flammable vapor cloud in the vicinity of the heater treater flame arrestors.

The operator preparing to batch treat was engulfed in flames, but managed to escape the fire by running toward the southwest corner of the platform. The operator on the cellar deck felt the flame around him before closing the hatch and jumping down to safety. The operator who had just arrived fell backward, got up, pushed the platform emergency shutdown (ESD) button and announced the fire over the radio. Both operators on the top deck, as well as other personnel on shift throughout the platform, responded to assist with extinguishing the fire. Individual accounts indicated that the fire lasted anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

The three injured operators suffered a combination of first and second degree burns to their hands, arms and face; the most severe of which were to the operator preparing to batch treat. Platform personnel assisted with first aid treatment while the Person-in-Charge (PIC) called for evacuation of the injured employees to a hospital on shore. All three were treated and released within two days of the incident.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) convened a panel to conduct an investigation into the cause(s) of the incident and issue a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations. The panel, comprising BSEE professionals, identified the following direct and indirect incident-causal-factors that may have contributed to the direct causation and totality of the incident:

Direct Cause

The fire occurred when a flammable gas mixture, which was released through the thief hatch on the dry oil tank, migrated into the left fire tube of the heater treater, where it contacted either the left fire tube flame or the left burner pilot flame. This flame likely propagated through a gap in the mating flange between the left flame arrestor housing and the heater treater, igniting the flammable gas mixture in the surrounding atmosphere.

Indirect Causes

• Personnel failed to sufficiently mitigate hazards.
• Lack of sufficient engineering controls
• The gap in the flame arrestor/heater treater mating flange was likely caused by improper installation and/or assembly of the mating flange.

Contributing Factors

• Failure to follow OEM recommendations, industry recommended practices, and industry standards.
• Personnel failed to adhere to permitting requirements.
• The hazard analysis performed for the work to eliminate the emulsion pad was insufficient, as the incident crew not only neglected to perform a JSA, but also failed to hold a pre-job safety meeting.
• The improper use of PPE resulted in injuries that may not have occurred had proper PPE procedures been followed.
• Daily safety meeting failed to sufficiently address operations and hazards on the day of the incident.
• Insufficient supervision.
• Poor communication.
• Unfavorable environmental conditions.
• Equipment failure

The BSEE Panel makes recommendations in an effort to further promote safety, protect the environment, and conserve resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The following listing contains some of the key recommendations identified as a result of the investigative findings detailed within this report:

•  Consider the location(s) of fired elements relative to potential gas releases when performing facility-level hazard analyses.
•  Consider the use of permanent containment systems for vessel draining and chemical treatment.
•  Consider conducting visual inspections of natural draft burners, ensuring airtight integrity between flame arrestors and fire tubes.
•  Consider the use of a portable gas detector when operating in the vicinity of fired vessels.
•  Consider increasing operator supervisory presence when using contractor-employed supervisory personnel during non-routine operations.
•  Consider ensuring production SOPs are used for site specific equipment and/or conditions.
•  Ensure operators are familiar with, and adhere to, OEM instructions regarding start-up, operations, maintenance, and inspection of fired vessels and associated safety devices.
•  Consider instituting applicable industry standards into inspection programs, SOPs, and SWPs.
•  Ensure all contractor personnel engaged in production operations are knowledgeable regarding operator SWPs.
•  Ensure that all company, contractor, and visiting personnel properly wear PPE where the potential exists for thermal exposure from fire, and that the PPE selected for the job reflects the probable and possible hazards of the job.

BSEE Reports Tropical Storm Gordon Activity Statistics: Sept. 5, 2018

BSEE Reports Tropical Storm Gordon Activity Statistics: Sept. 5, 2018


The BSEE Hurricane Response Team continues to monitor Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities.

NEW ORLEANS, LA — 

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Hurricane Response Team is monitoring offshore oil and gas operators in the Gulf as they respond to Tropical Storm Gordon. The Response Team works with offshore operators and other state and federal agencies until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat to Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities.

Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of 11:30 a.m. CDT Tuesday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 48 production platforms, 6.99 percent of the 687 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Production platforms are structures located offshore from which oil and natural gas are produced. Unlike drilling rigs, which typically move from location to location, production facilities remain in the same location throughout a project’s duration.

All of the 20 rigs (non-dynamically positioned), currently operating in the Gulf, including several types of offshore drilling facilities including jackup rigs, platform rigs, submersibles and moored semisubmersibles are in operation.

Further, all of the 19 dynamically positioned rigs are on location.

As part of the evacuation process, personnel activate the applicable shut-in procedure, which can frequently be accomplished from a remote location. This involves closing the sub-surface safety valves located below the surface of the ocean floor to prevent the release of oil or gas. During previous hurricane seasons, the shut-in valves functioned 100 percent of the time, efficiently shutting in production from wells on the Outer Continental Shelf and protecting the marine and coastal environments. Shutting-in oil and gas production is a standard procedure conducted by industry for safety and environmental reasons.

From operator reports, it is estimated that approximately 9.36 percent of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in. It is also estimated that approximately 10.39 percent of the natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in. The production percentages are calculated using information submitted by offshore operators in daily reports. Shut-in production information included in these reports is based on the amount of oil and gas the operator expected to produce that day. The shut-in production figures therefore are estimates, which BSEE compares to historical production reports to ensure the estimates follow a logical pattern.

After the storm has passed, facilities will be inspected. Once all standard checks have been completed, production from undamaged facilities will be brought back on line immediately. Facilities sustaining damage may take longer to bring back on line. BSEE will continue to update the evacuation and shut-in statistics at 1:00 p.m. CDT each day, as appropriate.

This survey information is reflective of 26 companies’ reports as of 11:30 a.m. CDT today.

Seguro-Suarez Ex Rel. Connette v. Key Risk Insurance Co.: an injured worker whose insurer knowingly provided false information to police to frame him for insurance fraud, resulting in his arrest, incarceration and indictment on felony charges, can pursue malicious prosecution, abuse of process and unfair and deceptive trade practices claims

Injured worker framed for insurance fraud gets split ruling on appeal

Gloria Gonzalez

September 5, 2018

The Court of Appeals of North Carolina has ruled that an injured worker whose insurer knowingly provided false information to police to frame him for insurance fraud, resulting in his arrest, incarceration and indictment on felony charges, can pursue malicious prosecution, abuse of process and unfair and deceptive trade practices claims, but not bad faith and civil conspiracy claims.

In 2003, Mario Seguro-Suarez was working for Southern Fiber when he fell from a height of approximately 18 feet onto concrete, striking his head and suffering several broken bones and severe traumatic brain injury, according to court documents in Seguro-Suarez Ex Rel. Connette v. Key Risk Insurance Co. He was rendered comatose and underwent emergency neurosurgery to relieve pressure on his brain. He eventually emerged from his coma, but the brain injury changed his personality, requiring physical, speech and occupational therapy. He currently suffers from significant behavioral and memory deficits, and his injuries rendered him dependent on others for dressing, feeding and other self-care activities. Southern Fiber and Key Risk, as Southern Fiber’s insurance carrier, admitted that his injuries were compensable, according to the ruling.

An authorized treating physician performed multiple tests to discern the nature and extent of his condition, with each test showing symptoms consistent with traumatic brain injury and requested an occupational home therapy evaluation, according to court documents. Key Risk denied the request and refused to provide the evaluation as well as a subsequent request for an evaluation by a neurologist and additional treatment by the treating physician. A neuropsychologist treated Mr. Seguro-Suarez and initially believed he was legitimately suffering from the stated conditions until Key Risk showed the neuropsychologist video footage that convinced him otherwise. The video, cut from nine hours of surveillance footage taken by Key Risk over a six-month period and edited down to 45 minutes, led the neuropsychologist to opine that he was willfully exaggerating his symptoms and that he needed no further treatment.

In 2008, a deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission ordered Key Risk to authorize further treatment by the treating physician. In 2010, after Key Risk argued that his benefits should be cut off for fraud and misrepresentation, a deputy commissioner entered an opinion and award requiring Key Risk to pay continued compensation for his care, with the full commission issuing an opinion in the injured worker’s favor in April 2011. Following its losses before the commission, and after exhausting its appeal efforts, Key Risk hired an investigator to surreptitiously surveil and record Mr. Seguro-Suarez for several weeks. Key Risk also arranged for an independent medical exam of in June 2013 to determine whether his symptoms were legitimate and if he required ongoing care. The forensic psychiatrist who examined the injured worker observed his “childlike” demeanor and concluded he was suffering from dementia, traumatic brain injury, chronic dizziness, and chronic headaches — all stemming from his workplace injury. Key Risk’s chosen examiner further opined that his “symptoms appeared to be valid. There was no apparent malingering, in [her] opinion.”

“The mounting medical evidence and full-throated rebuke from the commission left Key Risk undeterred in its efforts to undermine plaintiff’s medical diagnosis and continued care,” court documents state.

After the independent medical exam, Key Risk directed its investigator to convince the Lincolnton Police Department to bring criminal charges against the plaintiff under the theory that he was obtaining his workers compensation benefits by false pretenses and provide the department with extensively edited videotape that led to his arrest, jailing and indictment on 25 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses and one count of insurance fraud, all for accepting the checks ordered paid to him by the commission, according to court documents. The charges were dismissed after a psychological examination to determine his competency to stand trial noted conditions consistent with his documented medical history.

After his release from custody, Mr. Seguro-Suarez filed suit against Key Risk and the investigator asserting malicious prosecution, abuse of process, unfair and deceptive trade practices, bad faith, willful and wanton conduct, civil conspiracy and punitive damages. The trial court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The appellate court upheld the trial court’s order, with the exception that the trial court erred in failing to dismiss the bad faith and civil conspiracy claims.

“When a North Carolina worker is hurt on the job, his injury is within the exclusive scope of the Workers’ Compensation Act and he can obtain relief only by pursuing a claim before the North Carolina Industrial Commission,” the court ruling stated. “But when, after the commission awards the injured worker benefits, an employer’s insurance company knowingly provides false information to police to frame him for insurance fraud, resulting in his arrest, incarceration, and indictment on felony charges, the worker’s claims for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and unfair and deceptive trade practices exceed the scope of the Workers’ Compensation Act and are properly before the General Court of Justice.”

A Key Risk spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

A painter was injured in Portland’s Old Port when he was standing on an elevated scissor lift that fell over onto Center Street in Maine

  A worker was injured in Portland’s Old Port on Tuesday morning when he was standing on an elevated scissor lift that fell over onto Center Street-  News Center Maine 


By Megan DoyleStaff Writer


A worker was injured in Portland’s Old Port on Tuesday morning when he was standing on an elevated scissor lift that fell over onto Center Street.

Capt. John Brennan of the Portland Fire Department said the man was injured but conscious when he was transported to a local hospital.


“He was conscious and breathing and talking,” Brennan said.

It appeared the man had been painting the side of a building at the intersection of Center and Commercial streets, and the scissor lift was on the cobblestone sidewalk when it toppled.

“It fell into one lane of Center Street closest to the building, and he ended up in the other lane on the ground,” Brennan said.

Multiple bystanders called 911 to report the accident, and one person alerted a nearby fire crew that was completing a call in the area. It is not clear who the worker’s employer is.

The Portland Police Department was also on scene, but did not immediately return a call for comment.

A backhoe operator for Atchley Farms, Fernando Romero Martinez, 27, died after he was buried in 10 feet of dirt for an hour in Aston, Idaho

 A backhoe operator for Atchley Farms, Fernando Romero Martinez, 27, died after he was buried in 10 feet of dirt for an hour in Aston, Idaho

The backhoe operator told law enforcement that he and a helper had been digging a trench and the helper had gone into the trench to put pipe connections together.
The backhoe operator told investigators that when he moved the backhoe forward to continue digging, he turned back around to operate the hoe and saw that approximately 15 feet behind the backhoe a 10-foot section of the trench had collapsed and the helper was nowhere to be found, a Fremont County Sheriff’s Office news release said.


ASHTON, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - UPDATE 9/5/18: 


The Fremont County Sheriff's Office has identified the man as 27-year-old Fernando Romero Martinez of Ashton.

Romero Martinez was located approximately an hour after the incident was called in and declared deceased at the scene.

ORIGINAL:

A man was killed Tuesday afternoon in a trench collapse near Ashton.

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says it got the call about the collapse around 4:00 p.m.

A backhoe operator was installing plastic pipe for a drainage system, and the man was in the trench to put pipe connections together.

The backhoe driver told the sheriff's office he pulled forward to keep digging the trench and when they turned around the trench had collapsed on top of the man.

The man's body was uncovered about an hour after the 911 call about the accident came in, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of those involved has not been released. 


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ASHTON, IDAHO — 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating a trench collapse that killed a 27-year-old man Tuesday evening.

The man, whom relatives and authorities identify as Fernando Romero Martinez, was in a trench installing plastic pipe for a drainage system in the Ashton area around 4 p.m. Martinez was working as a backhoe operator for Atchley Farms.

Another backhoe operator at the site told deputies he turned around to operate the machine and saw a 10-foot line of dirt suddenly collapse into the trench, burying Martinez.


Fernando Romero Martinez | GoFundMe

Volunteers and emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions rushed to the area and dug for an hour until Martinez’s body was found. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

OSHA confirmed to EastIdahoNews.com on Wednesday morning that it has started an investigation but declined to provide further details.

Federal law requires any trench more than 5 feet deep to have cave-in protection unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. Officials have not said if a trench box or other protection was used in this case, and the name of the company doing the work has not been released.

Martinez is from Mexico and a GoFundMe page has been created by a friend “to bring him back home, to his daughter and family … where he can have a proper funeral and burial.”



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Idaho man dies after being buried in trench for an hour
By Nate Eaton, EastIdahoNews.com 

September 4, 2018

ASHTON, Idaho — A man buried in dirt for an hour Tuesday was found dead after a frantic search by emergency responders.

The 27-year-old was in a trench installing plastic pipe for a drainage system in the Ashton area around 4 p.m., according to a news release from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. A backhoe operator above the trench told deputies he turned around to operate the machine and saw a ten-foot line of dirt suddenly collapse into the trench – burying his helper.

Emergency dispatchers were contacted and multiple agencies, including the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont County Fire Department, Fremont County EMS, Fremont County Search and Rescue, Madison EMS, Air Idaho and multiple people, responded to the area and began digging.

The man’s body was found an hour after the collapse and he was pronounced dead on the scene. His name has not been released.

MESSY AUSSIE: A tub of WET concrete fell into a pit, killing one worker and injuring others at a construction site in Melbourne's east in Australia

Box Hill crane accident: Melbourne worker killed, two men injured on construction site

Updated 32 minutes ago

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Video: Workers injured on Melbourne construction site (ABC News)

A man has been killed and two others are injured after a tub of concrete fell from a crane at a construction site in Melbourne's east.

Key points:

• A tub of concrete fell into a pit, killing one worker and injuring others
• Two of the men working in the pit were submerged in concrete
• The CFMMEU says counselling has been offered to the men's workmates

Paramedics said two of the men were submerged and trapped in concrete after the tub fell on top of them at Box Hill about 12:20pm.
One of the trapped men died, while paramedics and workers had to race against the clock to free the other from the wet cement.
"He was struck by the object as well and he was partially submerged in the concrete," said senior intensive care paramedic Gary Robertson.

Photo: Specialist rescue teams were deployed to the scene. (ABC News: Iskhandar Razak)

"So he had to be extricated from the concrete to get him out.
"It was wet concrete and obviously as you can appreciate there's a timeline with that as well, because concrete sets."
The man suffered extensive injuries to his head, chest and abdomen, including fractures and internal bleeding, paramedics said.
He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where a trauma team was standing by.

Photo: The union believes mechanical failure caused the accident. (ABC News)

Another man with minor injuries was taken to Box Hill Hospital, Ambulance Victoria said.
The injured men, from the suburbs of Caroline Springs and Southbank, were both in their late 20s, police said.
Forty firefighters, including specialist urban search and rescue teams, attended the scene, along with heavy rescue and high angle appliances.
"It's been a very difficult incident as it's a building site," assistant chief fire officer Brendan Angwin said.
Mr Robertson said workers, including the crane driver, were "incredibly traumatised' by the incident.
Victoria Police said it was investigating, and WorkSafe has been notified.

Photo: Authorities said workers were "incredibly traumatized".  They wanted to talk to their mamma and suck their thumbs. (ABC News: Nathan Stitt)

'No-one should go to work and die'

Union leader John Setka told 3AW Radio that the union had sent counsellors to the scene to offer support to the traumatised workers.
"It's absolutely terrible," said Mr Setka, the Victorian secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU).
"You know, there's people on site crying at the moment. 
"It is just something that should not happen ever, to anyone.
"It's just … no-one should go to work and die."
He said he believed a mechanical failure had occurred.
"From what we can tell, it's one of them hammerhead cranes, the ones that sort of stick out vertically.
"[It] looks like the hook's come off with the kibble on it.
"The kibble is the sort of big bucket they whack on there full of concrete.

Photo: Emergency services were called to the scene about 12:20pm. (ABC News)

Mr Setka said one of the injured men had broken both of his arms.
The union said the crane belonged to Clark Cranes, which it said also owned the crane that collapsed on a Richmond construction site in July.
The company declined the chance to comment when contacted by the ABC.
VicRoads said motorists should avoid the area around the site, on the corner of Watts Street and Whitehorse Road.
They recommended using alternative routes such as the Eastern Freeway and Canterbury Road.