Wyoming has the highest workplace fatality rate of any state in the nation, with a record 17 deaths per 100,000 workers – over four times the national average. Though the state has hired an epidemiologist to study the issue, the trend seems doomed to continue.
The state’s most recent incident occurred on January 5th, when a man working on a gas rig in Sublette County was fatally burned by a pipe explosion. The defective manufacturing equipment was contracted by QEP Energy Company, which currently operates around six different drill rigs in the Pinedale Anticline.
While the matter is under investigation by the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), authorities are still unsure what caused the gas explosion, and QEP Energy Company has not come forward with any more specifics.
Companies that store and transport gas are rightfully held to a high safety standard with their equipment and products. Malfunctions and subpar maintenance cannot be tolerated when the potential consequences are so devastating.
If you or someone you know was seriously injured or killed because of a gas fire or explosion, please contact the experienced gas explosion and wrongful death attorneys at Burg Simpson today for a free initial consultation.
