DES MOINES, Wash. – A company in Des Moines, Washington is facing fines of over $166,000 following a workplace accident that left two employees severely burned while inspecting a propane tank that exploded twice. The incident occurred at a resort on the Kitsap Peninsula on August 22, 2024, when Calhoun Tanks & Services Inc. was hired to assess an 18,000-gallon underground propane tank for potential reactivation.
During the inspection, two employees inadvertently released propane gas from the tank while cutting open piping, leading to the activation of a vaporizer battery and subsequent explosion. Fortunately, no one was injured in the initial blast. However, a second explosion occurred two hours later, resulting in serious burns to two workers. One employee sustained burns to 30% of their body and required intensive care for over a month, while the other was treated and released on the same day for burns to their arms.
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) cited Calhoun for failing to address hazardous conditions adequately, ultimately imposing fines totaling $166,423 for “willful serious” and “serious” workplace violations. The funds collected from these penalties will be allocated to a workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund.
According to L&I, the employer neglected to properly assess risks associated with confined space entry and failed to implement sufficient precautions to prevent ignition sources in the presence of flammable gases and vapors within the storage area. Despite the citations, Calhoun intends to challenge the decision made by L&I.
Craig Blackwood, Assistant Director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, criticized the company’s disregard for safety protocols, stating, “It didn’t just happen once. The employer knew the risks and allowed it to happen again. These workers will carry those scars the rest of their life because their employer ignored commonsense rules to keep them safe.”
The repercussions of this incident serve as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing workplace safety measures to prevent avoidable accidents and protect employees from harm. The ongoing dispute between Calhoun and L&I underscores the critical need for businesses to adhere to strict safety regulations and prioritize the well-being of their workers.