We Energies fined $150,000 for power-plant blast
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Federal safety officials have fined We Energies nearly $150,000 for violations stemming from a power plant explosion in February that injured eight workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday also fined the workers' contracting firm about $150,000.
The blast occurred in a coal-dust silo at the utility's suburban Milwaukee power plant. It took firefighters several hours to put out the fire.
OSHA says We Energies failed to provide contractors adequate safety information.
The safety agency also says Waukesha-based contractor ThyssenKrupp Safway Inc. failed to implement proper safety procedures.
Messages left with both companies Thursday were not immediately returned.
Jul 30, 2009 at 7:46 p.m.
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rooster:
"Since the creation of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 32 years ago, there have been more than 200,000 workplace-related deaths. However, [as of 2003] OSHA has referred only 151 cases to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution."
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/...
Jul 30, 2009 at 2:33 p.m.
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heads should roll.
Jul 30, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.
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Well, it counts as a cash outflow, so in theory it reduces any profit or even creates a loss. The WE stockholders will get smaller dividends. Also, as a regulated utility, they will face an uphill battle increasing energy prices to pay off a penalty (though it has been known to happen). Otherwise, where do you think the money comes from if ANY business is fined? Thin air? It doesn't come out of the pockets of the managers, that's the protection form personal liability offered by incorporation.
Jul 30, 2009 at 11:41 a.m.
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Yeah that's the joke of it.
Jul 30, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.
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Does anyone anywhere have any misgivings on who is going to ultimately pay this fine?
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