Introduction: A contractor suffered thermal burns while hydroblasting near an open and assumed-isolated vessel in a petrochemical facility. To determine the cause of the incident, consequences, and the responsibilities of the involved parties, Baker & O’Brien visited the site, reviewed the equipment diagrams, procedures, permits, and isolation plans. We issued an expert report that the parties used to negotiate a settlement.

Introduction: In this personal injury case, truck drivers from two different contract companies had an unfortunate interface when one became pinned between their vehicles during a routine parking maneuver. We were asked to identify the responsibilities for the incident, which required our review of regulations, industry standards, and safe work practices. Baker & O’Brien presented our opinions in an expert report supporting the dispute resolution.

Introduction: A steel mill plant operator was not certified and authorized to operate a crane when his load struck an aerial lift supporting a welder within the crane operating envelope. Baker & O'Brien investigated the safe work practices and human factors involved in the incident, including the issue of competence. The opinions in our expert report included the error mode for the intentional but mistaken action.