OSHA launches investigation into deadly incident at major Gulf Coast construction project

PORT ARTHUR, Texas (April 30, 2025) – A tragic accident at one of the Gulf Coast’s largest industrial construction sites has left three workers dead and two others injured after scaffolding collapsed early Tuesday morning.

According to local officials, the incident occurred just before 2 a.m. at the Port Arthur LNG site on South Gulfway Drive. Workers were performing tasks at height when the scaffolding they were on gave way without warning. Two individuals were killed immediately in the fall, and a third succumbed to injuries later at the hospital.

The massive LNG project, currently under construction, is in its first phase — a joint venture between Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips. Bechtel Global Corporation is leading construction on the project, which is expected to significantly boost natural gas export capacity in the region upon completion.

In a statement, Bechtel confirmed the nature of the accident and the resulting casualties.

The company said a “tank jump form system incident occurred at elevation,” leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.

The jump form system is typically used to construct large vertical structures like storage tanks or silos, allowing crews to pour concrete at successive levels without dismantling and rebuilding formwork. An incident involving this type of system indicates a failure at a considerable height.

Two other workers were also on the scaffolding at the time but did not fall. They sustained non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the incident. At this time, the precise cause of the collapse has not been determined, and no further details have been released regarding whether the workers were wearing fall protection or if there were any structural warning signs prior to the failure.

Authorities responded quickly to the scene, and a full work stoppage was implemented at the site in the wake of the collapse. Bechtel confirmed it has temporarily suspended operations at the site during the investigation.

The Port Arthur LNG project is one of the largest energy infrastructure builds underway in the United States. Once complete, it is expected to include two liquefaction trains, storage tanks, marine berths, and related facilities, enabling the export of liquefied natural gas to global markets. Phase 1 alone represents billions of dollars in investment and hundreds of skilled construction jobs.

This latest tragedy highlights the continued risks construction workers face on industrial megaprojects, particularly when working at elevation.

As the investigation unfolds, local officials and labor safety advocates are calling for transparency and accountability.

OSHA has not yet issued any citations or violations related to the collapse, but such investigations can take weeks or even months to conclude, depending on the complexity of the site and the systems involved.

Originally reported by Jordan Gartner in Kwtx.