Suncor refinery slammed with OSHA fines
By Andy Vuong
The Denver Post
Posted: 03/07/2009
The refinery employs about 400 people and produces roughly a third of Colorado's gasoline.
Suncor Energy faces $130,500 in penalties for more than two dozen health and safety violations at its refinery in Commerce City.
Suncor allegedly failed to test monitors properly for hydrogen sulfide, a toxic and flammable gas, and failed to follow safety standards while processing hazardous chemicals, according to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which issued the citations.
"It is imperative that Suncor Energy abate these hazards to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for its employees," said Herb Gibson, OSHA's area director.
The refinery employs about 400 and produces roughly one-third of Colorado's gasoline.
Suncor is "fully cooperating with OSHA," spokeswoman Lisha Burnett said, refusing additional comment until the company finishes reviewing the citations, which arrived Thursday.
The OSHA inquiry at Suncor stems from a national program aimed at improving safety at refineries. The company has three weeks to respond to the citations and proposed penalties.
Suncor is based in Calgary. Its U.S. headquarters are in the Denver Tech Center.
Suncor faces $81,000 in fines for 26 serious violations that OSHA said are for when "death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known."
The company also faces a $49,500 penalty for willfully violating OSHA requirements.
OSHA fines over $100,000 are uncommon, with just four or five each year in the six-state region that includes Colorado, said Mike Lynham, team leader for the agency's Denver office.
"Anything $100,000 or more in penalties issued to employers is considered a significant case for OSHA," he said.
