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E-mail StoryScaled Composites must pay fines over explosion
| Friday, Jan 18 2008 8:35 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Jan 18 2008 8:41 PM
The state has issued $25,870 in fines against an aerospace company after three of its employees died in an explosion over the summer at the Mojave Air & Space Port.
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The Scaled Composites building.
Scaled Composites, the makers of SpaceShipOne, had failed several safety standards such as providing training in physical and health hazards of substances in the work area, according to an investigation by California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.
The agency also faulted the procedures for correcting the unhealthy or unsafe conditions associated with the use of nitrous oxide before a test.
On July 26, employees of Scaled Composites were conducting a propellant test of nitrous oxide when an explosion happened. The test was part of Scaled Composites' construction of SpaceShipTwo, an eight-seat spacecraft.
"Nitrous oxide is a very volatile chemical," said Kate McGuire, spokeswoman for Cal OSHA. "It can explode on its own."
Eric Blackwell, 38, of Randsburg; Charles May, 45, of Mojave; and Todd Ivens, 33, of Tehachapi died from the blast. Three other people were injured.
"Scaled Composites regrets that this accident occurred and we have expressed our condolences to the victims and their families and provided support during this difficult time," according to a written statement from the company.
It went on to say Scaled Composites has cooperated fully with investigators and is working with the agency to ensure procedures create a safe work environment.
The violations committed by the company, which ranged from general to serious, have been corrected, McGuire said.
"It's safer now," she said about the company.
The state is working on a summary of the investigation. Scaled Composites has 15 work days to either pay the fines or appeal the decision, McGuire said.
Burt Rutan founded Scaled Composites in 1982. In 2004, the company's SpaceShipOne launched into space several times within two weeks to capture the $10 million Ansari X Prize.