WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators on Monday proposed more than $1 million
in penalties against the two companies involved in a fatal tunnel fire last year
in Colorado.
The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
proposed $845,100 in penalties against RPI Coating Inc. and $189,900 against
Xcel Energy "for alleged serious and willful violations of federal workplace
safety and health standards."
"This catastrophe could have been avoided if the companies had followed
their critical safety procedures," Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. said in a release.
Dick Kelly, chairman, president and chief executive of Xcel Energy, said the
company needed more time to review the government's report, but added "we
disagree with any statement that implies we acted without regard to the safety
of our employees and contract workers."
A spokeswoman for Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based RPI declined to comment.
The fire began on Oct. 2 at the Xcel Energy Cabin Creek hydroelectric plant
in Georgetown, Colo., while employees were in a tunnel cleaning a sprayer with a
flammable solvent. Vapor from the solvent ignited and five employees working
deep inside the tunnel died from asphyxiation.
RPI received 13 willful citations with proposed penalties totaling $778,500.
Three of the citations are for the company allegedly bringing unsafe electrical
equipment into the tunnel. The other allegations include: not providing
employees with adequate ventilation, not installing carbon monoxide alarms, not
arranging for emergency response, providing inadequate chemical hazard training
and a lack of fire extinguishers in the work area.
RPI also received 25 lesser citations with penalties totaling $66,600,
according to OSHA.
Xcel Energy was issued two willful citations with proposed fines of $126,000
for failing to take precautions to protect employees from tunnel hazards and for
not arranging rescue services. The company also received 19 lesser citations
with proposed penalties totaling $63,900.
The companies have 15 business days to request an informal conference with
OSHA's area director or to contest the citations and proposed penalties.
Shares of Xcel fell 7 cents to $20.08 in afternoon trading.
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