OSHA fines Halliburton $7K in fracking site blast that killed 1 worker, injured 2 in Weld County

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4. This seems worse than no fine at all, a deliberately cruel message to workers and their families.

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In the citation issued on May 12, 2015, OSHA said, "[Halliburton] did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards associated with working in the red zone of the [gas] well."

"Red zones" are hazardous areas that have to be clear of workers when fracking pumps are operating, according to the industry publication, EnergyTrendsInsider.com.

"The employer did not ensure employees were protected from struck-by hazards associated with the removal of an ice plug from within" an assembly of valves, known as a "Christmas tree," the OSHA document said.

"Employees remained in the red zone while equipment was pressurized up to 3500 psi [pounds per square inch]. This condition exposed employees working in the red zone to struck-by hazards as a result of an explosion," the OSHA report said.

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