The family’s attorney has stated that the maintenance crew was assigned to work on a vessel that had reportedly been cleaned prior to the job. However, the complaint alleges that flammable material remained inside the equipment, raising questions about whether proper safety checks and hazard assessments were conducted before work began.
According to the filing, Valero failed to maintain a reasonably safe workplace and did not comply with safety obligations, including those governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The petition asserts that inadequate safety protocols, inspection procedures and oversight contributed to the conditions that led to the fire.
The claims against UPS Industrial Services go further, accusing the contractor of gross negligence. The family alleges the company did not properly warn workers about the presence of combustible materials, failed to hold sufficient safety meetings, and did not provide appropriate protective equipment or safeguards for the task being performed.
