Gas Pipeline Accidents at Work – St. Louis Workplace Injury Lawyer

A dangerous situation for construction workers involves gas pipeline accidents.

In the U.S., it is estimated that around 14,120 workers suffer thermal burns each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average time that a worker takes off work after a burn injury is five days. In some cases, burn injuries are severe and cause permanent disfigurement and disability. Some burn injuries are fatal.

Burn injuries can be caused by various factors, such as bad wiring in the workplace or faulty equipment. However, at a construction site, one of the most dangerous situations that can cause serious burn injuries is when a gas pipeline accident occurs. If a gas line is leaking or is punctured, it can cause a devastating fire in seconds, leading to catastrophic and even fatal injuries.

Gas Pipelines

Pipeline transport is defined as the transportation of certain goods through a pipe. Gases and liquids are usually transported through a pipline and pneumatic tubes are used for transporting solid capsules using compressed air. Any chemically stable gas or liquid can be sent through a pipeline. Slurry, water, and sewage are most commonly transported through pipelines.

These pipelines present a hazard and can cause workplace accidents, especially in construction environments. In 2014, a tragic incident occurred in which eight people were killed and two buildings were destroyed when a gas pipeline crack caused a fire.

Preventing Gas Pipline Accidents

A gas pipeline accident can happen when construction workers accidentally disturb these pipelines. Municipalities and utility companies know the location of these pipelines and post warnings to prevent digging into a gas pipeline. In a recent accident, a two-alarm fire was started when a gas pipeline was hit by a drilling rig, because the construction company was not given correct information about the location of the gas pipeline. A huge flame was created that endangered around 40 workers who were present on the site. The flame was so hot that the windows in a nearby factory melted. Thankfully, only one worker suffered minor injuries. Other workers escaped the site when they smelled gas.

Workplace Injury and Accident Causes