Industrialization of WV Hill Country Continues
UPDATE: Victim identified in fatal pipeline accident
From an Article by Emily Gallagher, Fairmont Times West Virginian, February 23, 2016
Bunner Ridge, WV — Officials have confirmed that one worker has died after being injured at a natural gas well in Marion County, WV. [The site is near Monongalia County, between Fairmont and Morgantown, WV].
At about 3 p.m. Tuesday, crews were called to a traumatic injury at North Bunner Ridge Road. Scanner traffic indicated that the injury occurred about 600 yards from the main road near the Mount Nebo Church in the Bunner Ridge community. Bunner Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Chief Roger Channell confirmed there was a fatality involving a 40-year-old male, natural gas pipeline worker.
Cpl. H.C. Myers with the West Virginia State Police said the incident killed Fred Allen Layman Jr. of Ellenboro, Ritichie County. He was working for the Ronald Lane Pipeline Construction Company out of Clarksburg, WV.
Channell said that a mechanical failure with the gas well caused a piece of debris to come off the pipeline and hit the worker in the head. Channell said the worker died on the scene due to the injuries. The investigation of the incident will now be handled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
According to the fire chief there were around five others near the well at the time of the accident but were not harmed.
According to the Marion County Central Communications log, a medical examiner was called to the site at about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, about 30 minutes after officials arrived.
Responding to the scene were State Police officers, the Marion County Rescue Squad and volunteers with the Bunner Ridge fire department.
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UPDATE: Worker Killed in Natural Gas Well Accident in Marion County
From an Article by Lacey Palmer, WBOY News 12, Clarksburg, WV, February 24, 2016
Fred Layman Jr., 40, of Ellenboro, was killed Tuesday afternoon after an accident at a natural gas well in the Bunner Ridge area of Marion County. He was working for Ronald Lane Incorporated.
According to authorities on scene, the company was running a “pig” through a line to remove water or pressure, and the equipment malfunctioned. A piece of the apparatus struck the man in the head, killing him.
The accident happened on private property about 600 yards off North Bunner Ridge Road.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will handle the investigation. OSHA has six months to complete the investigation to see if the the company was in violation of any safety policies at the time of the accident.
According to OSHA, West Virginia is located in Region 3 for OSHA and the area has an emphasis on oil and gas work safety due to the high number of injuries and fatalities.
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