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Xcel Agrees to Pay $150,000 Settlement

Xcel Energy Inc. will pay $150,000 in penalties for workplace safety violations at their power plant near Georgetown. The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found these violations after five employees died in a chemical fire at the site.Five California workers died at the Cabin Creek hydroelectric plant on October 2, 2007 after a fire broke out inside a drained water tunnel. Xcel’s statement did not indicate what violations OSHA had found that were acknowledged as part of the settlement.

Xcel released a statement saying, “Immediately after the accident, we conducted an extensive review of our policies and practices and took action to prevent future accidents. We have now reached a fair and reasonable settlement with OSHA in which we have agreed to accept certain citations and to pay $150,000 in assessed penalties. We believe it is in the best interest of all parties involved to move forward and put this matter behind us. We are committed to continuous improvement in every area of our business, and there is nothing more important to us than the safety of our employees, contractors, and the general public.”

The contractor at the site, RPI Coatings Inc., employed the five men who were killed. They agreed to pay $1.65 million in penalties and compensation, and $1,275,000 went to the victims’ families.

Pulgini & Norton, LLP attorneys have handled workers’ compensation claims for over 25 years in and around Boston and its surrounding areas. If you or a family member has been injured at work and would like to seek legal assistance, please contact us at (781) 843-2200 or (888) 344-2046 or email us.

Cited Sources:
Xcel settles with OSHA on Cabin Creek power plant citations, Denver Business Journal, May 24, 2013

Xcel agrees to pay penalty in chemical fire that killed five men, Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal, May 24, 2013
Xcel to pay $150,000 to settle OSHA citations in fire that killed 5 workers, The DenverChannel.com, May 25, 2013

 

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