Federal officials have charged three companies and three individuals with federal crimes stemming from a platform explosion in November 2012 that resulted in three offshore deaths. The individuals and companies are facing charges of manslaughter and failing to follow proper safety practices under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (“OCSLA”) and violation of the Clean Water Act. The three companies are Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, LLC, Grand Isle Shipyards, Inc. and Wood Group PSN, Inc. The offshore platform, West Delta 32, was approximately 20 miles off of Grand Isle, and the explosion occurred during construction on the platform. The indictment indicates the companies and individuals failed to follow OCSLA regulations that set out specific safety protocols that must be followed before welding can commence on offshore platforms, such as using gas detectors and devices that prevent gas from moving through pipes. The indictment contends that the failure to follow these regulations caused the explosion and the deaths.
There really is no commentary needed for this article beyond the following quote from the U.S. Assistant Attorney General concerning this case: “Worker’s lives can depend on their employer’s faithfulness to the law, not least of all those working in oil and gas production where safety must be of paramount concern.” Oil field and offshore work is dangerous enough when safety rules are followed. Companies that harm workers because they refuse to follow safety rules need to be held accountable. u