The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blast survivors seek protections, 9 years on
‘We should be angry these kinds of things still happen’
MIDDLETOWN — That no worker should have to risk his or her health, safety, or life making an honest living was the resounding message Thursday as dozens gathered at the memorial for the six men who died in the 2010 Kleen Energy blast.
The victims of the natural gas power plant explosion at the 1349 River Road facility, including dozens who were injured nine years ago on Superbowl Sunday, were recalled by about 40 people during a 35-minute program just outside the Kleen Energy property.
“Local 777 lost some of the best of the best right up there on that hill. We pay honor, and we keep the legacy alive for our fallen brothers,” said former plant worker Paul Venti of Florida, who organizes the tribute every year.
John W. Olsen, a former president and financial secretary of AFL-CIO, who lives about 25 miles away from the plant, said, “On that Sunday morning, my garage door rattled. Understand how much gas had to come out to explode, uncompressed, other than by the atmosphere, to shatter foundations across the river. Why did it take that long to understand we couldn’t do those kinds of things?
“We mourn for them, but we should be more than fighting, we should be angry these kinds of things still happen in our country, and we still put the value of a life against the cost of a construction project. That’s why we’re here: to fight more,” Olsen said.
Venti read each man’s name: Ronald Crabb, 42, of Colchester; Kenneth Haskell, 37, of New Durham, N.H.; Chris Walters, 48, of Florissant, Mo.; Peter Chepulis, 48, of Thomaston; Dobratz, 58, of Old Saybrook, and Roy Rushton, 36, of Hamilton, Ontario. All died after a welding torch ignited natural gas pooled on the ground at the construction site near the pipe outlets.
Venti acknowledged family members in attendance, including Dobratz’s sons Matt and Erik, as well as his grandchildren; and Crabb’s wife Jodi.
“I’ll never forget working with Ray Dobratz,” said Venti, who recalled the time the two were helping build the tower at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. “He said, ‘I’m going to see Dr. Summeroff.’
“I said, ‘What, are you sick?’ “He said, ‘No, I’m taking the summer off,’” Venti said, as those gathered laughed at the exchange.
Dobratz had just opened his own bait and tackle shop with his son when his life was cut short. Not long after the fishing venture was up and running, Venti said, Matt Dobratz got his boating captain’s license: “The youngest person in the state of Connecticut” to do so.
These brief recollections were welcome bright points in an otherwise somber morning.
South Fire District Chief Michael Howley wasn’t working that day, but felt the explosion from home.
“When we reflect back on the day these six tradesmen lost their lives, it bonded every one of us together with something we never expected,” he said.
As he was enjoying the big football game Sunday, Howley said the evening was bittersweet. “In the back of my mind, I thought what happened nine years ago. Superbowl Sunday will never be the same for many of us,” he acknowledged.
The memorial also focused on making workplace safety a top priority in the legislature. Speaker after speaker urged the union workers gathered to be vigilant and proactive about any conditions they see — or even suspect may be hazardous to their own or fellow workers’ wellbeing.
Suicide is the No.1 cause of death among all trade workers, said Kyle Zimmer, IUOE, Local 478, health and safety director. Last weekend, a friend of his in the fire service tried to take his own life.
“If you see someone struggling out there, say something, do something — please. Remove the stigma from getting help on behavioral health issues,” he urged those circled around the memorial.
Crabb was good friends with U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2, Venti said. The congressman sent a representative to read a statement about the bill he is sponsoring, the Protecting America’s Workers Act.
“Every day, 14 workers never return to their families due to a fatal workplace injury. While significant progress has been made in reducing the loss of life and limb since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was first started (in 1971), far too many are dying, getting injured and ill due to unsafe and unhealthy workplaces,” according to Courtney.
In 2017, 3.5 million people were seriously hurt on the job, and 5,147 of those individuals died. In all, 50,000 die each year due to occupational diseases, Courtney’s statement said.
“Millions fall outside the laws and protections. Weak sanctions fail to provide meaningful incentives for those employers who attempt to cut corners on compliance and safety standards. Anti-retaliation protections for workers who report unsafe conditions are ineffective,” he wrote.
At the plant in 2010, according to investigators, something ignited 400,000 cubic feet of gas and air that had accumulated during a gas blow, when high-pressure natural gas is pushed through pipes to clear debris.
State law now bans use of flammable gas to clean piping at power plants. Connecticut conducted a criminal investigation, but no charges were filed.
In all, 22 people, 17 employees and five spouses were awarded more than $34 million in January 2016, after winning a lawsuit, according to the Hartford Courant. Settlements range from $5.5 million to $377,240. Also, 33 nearby homeowners whose properties were damaged received $614,674, the report said.
In September, there was an earlymorning fire in a wall near an exhaust turbine at the facility. There were no injuries. Howley called the firefighting operation long and labor-intensive at the time.
In November 2017, a diesel leak in a turbine caused a minor fire at Kleen Energy. There were no injuries in the evening blaze in a massive generator there, officials said.