The United Steelworkers (USW) said today that Wednesday’s fire at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge, La., refinery that injured one employee and two contractors demonstrates the urgency of the union’s call for greater attention to process safety within the refining sector. This incident follows less than two weeks after the deadly Tesoro refinery explosion in Anacortes, Wash.

“We are concerned about this latest incident because there are too many fires happening at refineries around the country,” said USW Vice President Gary Beevers. “We are closely monitoring the condition of two of the workers who have not been released yet from the hospital. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved and their families.”

At 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, USW Local 13-12 member Robert McNaylor was working on a gas compressor. He was following a standard procedure for inspection of the internal parts when the fire occurred.  He received second and third degree burns to his face, neck, hands, forearms and upper chest. He is now in Baton Rouge General Hospital’s burn unit ... more