KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaInvestigation Ongoing in Death at ConocoPhillips

Investigation Ongoing in Death at ConocoPhillips

October 23, 2007
Reported By: Lee Peck

It's still unclear as to what exactly led to the death of 46-year-old Alton Washington. What we do know is that the Gulf Services Industrial contract worker was operating a vacuum truck at ConocoPhillips when he was exposed to hazardous chemicals. State Police HAZMAT teams continue their search for answers on the refinery's Westlake property.

"They worked all day Monday and went back today. They're still taking samples and analyzing samples and doing more investigation into the cause of the incident," said Trooper Sal Messina. 

Messina says Washington was brought to Christus St. Patrick Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. As their investigation continues, Messina says Conoco is cooperating and taking the incident very seriously.

"Everybody had a big debriefing and they're just trying to handle it the best they can and I believe most of the contractors went home yesterday (Monday)," said Messina.

Six other workers were also treated for possible chemical exposure. Hospital staff at St. Pat's say they're always prepared for incoming emergencies such as these.

"First we are usually notified from the site where the incident happened. That gives us some forewarning so that we can mobilize our staff in the emergency room, surgery intensive care or other support elements that are necessary to treat incoming patients or victims from a hazardous spill or chemical exposure," explained Hospital Director of Facilities and Safety Manager Lee Willeford.

"We do our very best at stopping those people at the door and decontaminating those people in whichever manner we need to decontaminate them to provide safety for the other patients and staff," said Director of the Emergency Room Tressy Bergeron, R.N. 

Of those six other workers that were treated, Trooper Messina tells 7 News one of them was in very close proximity to Washington, however, he was found to be perfectly fine.

Meanwhile, Messina says HAZMAT investigators will likely be on site at ConocoPhillips collecting samples for several more days. Once that part of the investigation is complete those samples will be sent off to a lab to be tested, which could take up to two weeks to get the results.