USW Expresses Deep Sympathy to Families, Fellow Employees of Those Killed, Severely Injured in Tesoro Explosion in Anacortes, Washington

PITTSBURGH, April 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) union expresses its deep sympathy to the families and co-workers of the employees killed and severely injured in the explosion and fire that occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on April 2 at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington.

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The three operators killed in the blast and fire were Matthew C. Bowen, 31; Darrin J. Hoines, 43; and Daniel J. Aldridge, 50. Operators Kathryn Powell, 29, and Donna Van Dreumel, 36, died of their burns later at the hospital. All were USW members. Two employees, Matt Gumbel, 34, and Lew Janz, 41, were severely burned and are in critical condition at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Gumbel is an operator who is a USW member. Janz is a supervisor who had been a long-time member of the union.

"This is a very difficult time for the families, friends and co-workers of these employees as well as for the entire work force at the refinery. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them," said USW International President Leo Gerard. "Kathryn Powell and Donna Van Dreumel were true Women of Steel."

Officials and members throughout the USW are expressing their condolences.

"We feel a deep sadness for the families who died, those who were injured and all the members of Local 12-591," said USW District 12 Director Robert LaVenture. "While we mourn now, we will seek justice." District 12 encompasses the state of Washington.

The USW's Emergency Response Team is on the ground now helping the families of those who were killed or severely injured. Mr. Kim Nibarger, from the Health, Safety and Environment Department, is on the scene investigating the incident. Nibarger is a former oil worker and understands the intricacies of the refining process.

The USW is using all of its resources to determine the root cause of the explosion and fire so that such an incident will not repeat itself.

Tesoro has a history of serious health and safety violations. The Associated Press reported that Washington Department of Labor and Industries fined the company $85,700 last April for 17 violations that had the potential to cause death or serious physical injury. Inspectors found 150 instances of deficiencies and said the company did not ensure safe work practices and failed to update safety information when changes were made to equipment. The penalty was reduced and the number of violations lowered to three when a settlement was reached between the state and Tesoro.

The company was also fined $6,000 for two serious violations in 2005, and another $6,000 for two serious violations in 2007, reported the AP.

"It is extremely important that after the root cause is determined from the investigation that Tesoro and the rest of the oil industry apply those 'lessons learned,'" said USW Vice President Gary Beevers, who oversees the union's oil sector.

"There have been too many accidents and near-miss incidents in the oil refining industry. In honor of our brothers and sisters who were killed and seriously injured at the Tesoro refinery we urge the industry to take steps to ensure an incident of this type never happens again," Beevers added.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America and has 850,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. It represents workers employed in metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, atomic energy and the service sector.

SOURCE United Steelworkers Union (USW)