An oil rig stands near Erie City Park in Erie. (Steve Nehf, Denver Post file)
Re: “Toxic vapors suspected in deaths of three Colorado oil and gas workers,” May 18 news story.
Safety is always a top priority for the oil and gas industry, and any serious worker injury or fatality, regardless of cause, is a tragedy. Even with Colorado’s stringent regulatory system already in place, the industry has and will continue to invest billions of dollars into new systems and technologies designed to make the workplace even safer.
Each operator has site-specific considerations, safety plans and procedures for their workers to follow. Plus, third-party contractors have developed similar safety practices and procedures for their employees working around sites as well. When followed properly, these procedures can help ensure their workers are operating in the safest environment possible.
What needs to be made clear is that all operators must be fully compliant with all applicable OSHA regulations to ensure a safe workplace for their employees — period. Those who imply otherwise are simply wrong.
Doug Flanders, Littleton
The writer is director of policy and external affairs for the Colorado Oil & Gas Association.
This letter was published in the May 23 edition.
