Dear Friends–The following is from an international dangerous goods mailing list.  The incident involved
GasFrac fracking with LPG in Alberta.  A GasFrac executive recently spoke 3-4 times in Ithaca, so this is a nice “follow up” to his presentation.  Please forward to other shale gas lists.  Take care.  Tom

From: Don Johnston <petenv@optusnet.com.au>
To: Group Dangerous Goods <DangerousGoods@yahoogroups.com>>
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 06:26:48 -0500
Subject: DG-HazMat Explosion at Husky Gas Well during Fracking Operations
injures 13

Explosion at Husky Gas Well during Fracking Operations injures 13

Helicopter airlifting one injured party to hospital

A flash fire at a Husky sweet gas well near Robb mid-day on March 7 has resulted in 13 people being injured. RCMP spokesperson Doris Stapleton said one person was in critical condition. RCMP spoksperson Doris Stapleton said a flash fire, a blaze that quickly ignites and is quickly extinguished, was the cause of the injuries, which occurred while the workers were fracking — that is, extracting the gas by injecting water, sand and chemicals under high pressure into a well, resulting in fractures in the shale. These allow the gas to flow more freely out of the well. Edson Fire Department chief Al Schram said his crews responded to the call but “didn’t even get on scene.” Schram said by the time the department got there, the fire was out, and the industrial crews had tak! en over the situation. Yellowhead County Fire Department Chief Cory Chegwyn echoed Schram’s comments, saying his trucks were turned around when they arrived, although he and a deputy worked on an investigation all afternoon before turning it over to RCMP and Occupational Health and Safety in the evening. Chegwyn said the industrial crews that put the fire out “did a very good job, considering some were injured.” Workers were transported to Edson Hospital and then on to University Hospital. Husky spokesperson Carl Yuill said nine were treated and released the sane day, while four remained in hospital for treatment for burns.  Yuill said the fracking is ” a pretty routine procedure. All safety precautions are undertaken.”  OHS spokesperson Barrie Harrison said seven of the 13 injured workers were employed by GasFrac Energy, two were employed by Dalmac Energy and the rest were Husky workers.  “The injuries ranged from singed hair to first-degree burns to one worker hav(ing) two fractured ribs,” said Ha! rrison, adding STARS and fixed wing aircraft were both brought to the scene to get workers to hospital. Harrison said a stop work order was in effect until at least this past weekend, and three investigators were on site. “What we understand right now is that fracking was going on with liquid propane and it appears this propane ignited.” Why that happened wasn’t clear but, said Harrison, the most likely reasons were either a procedural error or an equipment malfunction.  “We won’t be opening the site until we’ve established the cause,” and made sure procedures are in place to prevent a recurrence, he said. Yuill noted the company is grateful that the situation was not worse. “We’re just thankful that there were no casualties. The health and safety of our workers is most important.”

http://www.edsonleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3009619
Video: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110307/explosion-alberta-well-110307/

Keep Safe Regards
Kevin D Westwood
B Eng, CEng, MIFireE, MEI
JOIFF Secretary
Mob: + 44(0)7799470134
Email: kevin@joiff.com
Web: www.joiff.com
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Tom Shelley
118 E. Court St.
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