The Edmond Sun

Local News

Discussion

January 13, 2012

OSHA investigates explosion at Edmond business

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — A Houston-based company is cooperating with federal investigators exploring what caused Thursday morning’s explosion at its Edmond facility, a spokeswoman said.

Friday afternoon, Edmond Fire Maj. Kelly Lewis said the Fire Department was done with its investigation into the incident at NOV Tuboscope, 3600 S. Kelly, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration likely would be on scene.

Becky Byrd, a spokeswoman for the parent company, National Oilwell Varco, said the company had reported the incident to OSHA and it was cooperating with federal and local authorities.

National Oilwell Varco officials were in Edmond working on the company’s investigation, Byrd said. The company wanted to determine the cause so it could make necessary corrections and prevent it from happening again, she said.

An unknown number of OSHA personnel were at NOV Tuboscope Thursday beginning an investigation, said Juan Rodriguez, a regional spokesman for the federal agency.

Rodriguez said generally investigators will interview employees and witnesses, look at machinery and equipment, see if a company has a history with the agency and determine if any workplace standards or regulations were violated. Violations can result in a citation and financial penalty, he said.

“Every investigation is unique,” he said.

Legally, OSHA has up to six months to complete an investigation, Rodriguez said. Incidents in which three or more workers are injured or in which a single fatality occurs are investigated, he said.

Byrd said it was believed that the rest of the four employees injured by the explosion and resulting fire would be released from a metro burn center by the end of the weekend. One of the injured workers was treated and released Thursday.

One employee suffered third-degree burns, the others first-degree burns, Lewis previously said.

After looking at the scene and hearing accounts from witnesses, Fire Department officials determined a dust cloud and a kerosene heater caused an explosion that injured the NOV Tuboscope employees.

One of the machines became clogged and maintenance workers were attempting to clear the obstruction, Edmond fire officials determined.

A pipe became disconnected and the polymer, a type of powdery substance, was released, creating a dust cloud. The cloud reached an industrial space heater that runs on kerosene and had an open flame.

Byrd previously said the Edmond facility, which has a total of 23 employees, has been shut down pending the outcome of the company’s own investigation. The site coats pipe with corrosion prevention material.



marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121 ext. 108

Text Only
Local News
  • $6.8B budget crosses final hurdle

    House members found enough votes late Thursday afternoon to approve the state’s $6.8 billion budget for next year by a vote of 52-42. This came after an earlier vote failed by four votes in the House Thursday morning.

    May 25, 2012

  • Santa Fe principal resigns

    Edmond Santa Fe High School principal Earl Kirkpatrick resigned Thursday to explore possibilities in the field of ministry. His last day is June 30.

    May 25, 2012

  • devin derrick 2012.jpg Hollywood dreams do come true: Edmondite develops film, music career

    It’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
    At least that is what Edmond resident and 1990 Edmond High School graduate Devin Derrick will tell you about his rise to fame in the music and movie businesses.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • ASK A LAWYER: Trusts provide options for difficult heirs

    Q: We have a grown daughter who has a gambling problem. We want to provide for her in our will, but also want to protect her share from being wasted after we die. How can we do this?
    A: Your situation is not unusual. Most of us know at least one person who has difficulty handling money for one reason or another.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Pets

    This is a list of animals that have been found and are at the Edmond Animal Shelter, at Interstate 35 and Covell in the Cross Timbers Municipal Complex. Call the shelter at 216-7615 for more information.

    May 25, 2012

  • 5-26 Police and Fire

    Information in this column is gathered from city fire incident logs and police incident reports.

    May 25, 2012

  • Make-A-Wish Oklahoma hosts Lexus raffle

    Make-A-Wish Oklahoma will once again partner with Lexus of Tulsa and Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City to raffle off a new Lexus, raising funds to support the organization’s efforts to grant the heartfelt wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in Oklahoma.

    May 25, 2012

  • Edmond youth are encouraged to make a difference

    The Edmond Youth Council programs are opportunities for students 15-18 years of age to learn about municipal government and potentially impact future city policies.

    May 25, 2012

  • Hiebert graduates from Field Artillery training

    Army Pfc. Cody A. Hiebert has graduated from the Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton.

    May 25, 2012

  • arcadia lake 3.jpg Police: Comply with lake rules during holiday period

    Summer vacation, hot days and a holiday weekend spell heavier traffic on Arcadia Lake, and police want to remind guests about rules and what happens if you break them.
    May 23 was the last day of school for Edmond Public Schools and the long Memorial Day holiday period has come.

    May 25, 2012 6 Photos