Remembrance of Those Who Fell
This page pays tribute to the members of our union who died while on the job.
Jerry Canell - 1955
Jerry was working on top of a fuel blending tank at the Shell refinery. An inner
heating coil developed a leak, allowing hot condensate to mix with the asphalt
within the tank. This caused the tank wall to rupture, allowing the contents to
begin boiling out. Jerry, not wearing a hard hat, jumped from the tank roof. As
he landed, he struck his head, resulting in his death.
Earl Staneck - 1979
Ed Stocker - 1979
Ed and Earl were working for PM Northwest at the Shell refinery.
As they were pulling a blind, gases were released and ignited by a nearby
heater, killing both men.
Bob Owings - 1988
While working for Texaco, Bob
fell from a ladder, injuring his
leg. During his
recuperation,
a blood clot formed, then broke
loose, making its way to Bob's
heart, resulting in his death.
Jeff Heidingsfelder - 1992
Jeff was working for PM Northwest at the British Petroleum (BP) refinery, giving
signals to a crane operator. Below him, two coworkers were pulling a blind. As
the blind was pulled, gases were released and ignited by a nearby heater. A huge
fireball erupted. As the fireball moved up the tower, Jeff was killed.
Tracy Giles - 1996
Tracy, a Texaco employee, was working with coworkers readying an exchanger for
maintenance. While attempting to steam out the exchanger, a plug was formed,
creating a pressure build up. As Tracy climbed down scaffolding, the pressure
blew the exchanger cover off, striking Tracy in the head and killing her
instantly.
Equilon Coker Tragedy - 1998
Jim, Ted, Warren (Woody), and Wayne were working on the Coker unit at the
Equilon (previously Texaco) refinery. The unit was in an upset due to a total
power failure at the refinery. As the members, along with two other coworkers,
were unheading a coke drum, a pocket of high temperature hydrocarbon broke free.
Upon contact with air, the hydrocarbon self-ignited, sending a giant fireball up
the structure. All six people on the structure were killed.
Wayne Dowe
Jim Berlin
Woody Fry
Ted Cade
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