Report Says Xcel, Contractor Ignored Worker Safety

http://cbs4denver.com/news/Draft.report.Xcel.2.1857639.html

Aug 12, 2010 4:38 pm US/Mountain

DENVER (AP) ― A draft report on a tunnel fire that killed five workers at a Colorado hydroelectric plant accuses Xcel Energy Inc. and contractor RPI Coating Inc. of ignoring worker safety.

The draft says that a lack of planning for hazardous work and inadequate contractor selection were among problems that contributed to the accident Oct. 2, 2007.

The Denver Post reported on the draft report Thursday after obtaining a copy from Xcel Energy.

Xcel, based in Minneapolis, lost a legal battle to block the release of the report, which it believes is inaccurate. However it released the draft out of fear that the U.S. Chemical Safety Board planned to issue the final report closer to the criminal trial of Xcel and RPI in the case, possibly influencing jurors.

Cliff Stricklin, an attorney for Xcel, told The Associated Press the company also wanted to show that the board excluded findings of a gap in U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards concerning having large amounts of flammable materials in confined spaces.

The board, an independent federal agency that investigates serious chemical accidents, said it plans to release the final version Aug. 25. The trial isn't expected to begin until 2011.

FULL story at link.