Minnesota OSHA probe begins at CF facility

Minneapolis-Investigators from Minnesota OSHA, along with those from CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and the trucking company involved, are probing the scene of a fatal release of anhydrous ammonia during a tanker truck filling operation at CF’s Pine Bend terminal in Rosemount on Nov. 16 (GM Nov. 23, p. 15). Observers indicated that training could become a major factor in determining the cause, which left one driver dead on the scene and another in the hospital with critical injuries. A spokesman for Minnesota OSHA told Green Markets that an investigator was on the scene the next day to begin interviewing industry officials. “The interviews will help establish what caused or contributed to the accident,” reported James Honerman. “There will be a thorough review of safety, health and training issues for employees at the site. That’s where we’re at and we don’t have a timeframe for completing the investigation or announcing the findings.” Both the drivers worked for High Pressure Transports of Kingfisher, Okla., where co-owner Evan Winters said they had been in the area for several weeks picking up loads of ammonia in Rosemount and delivering them for Crystal Valley Cooperative of Lake Crystal. Winters insisted his drivers had received training in the safe handling of hazardous materials, but referred questions to Rick Lind, the company’s attorney in Minneapolis. Lind, who specializes in litigation in these types of accidents, said he was in no position to discuss training since “that part of the investigation hasn’t been completed as yet.” Lind said he assumed OSHA would be following up on those questions, and that he has spent three days at the scene concentrating on “locating and preserving the evidence relating to how the accident happened.” There were no further announcements from CF beyond an initial statement, which said company officials had begun a full investigation. The ammonia terminal where the accident occurred was closed Nov. 17, but is back in operation.