Widow of Conn. worker urges feds to tighten safety measures after fatal Conn., NC plant blasts

Feds weigh response to fatal Conn., NC blasts

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The widow of a pipefitter who died with five colleagues in a Connecticut power plant blast is urging federal officials to tighten safety rules.

Jodi Thomas, of Colchester, told a congressional subcommittee Monday that the changes could ensure her husband, Ron Crabb, and others did not die in vain.

They were killed when a power plant under construction in Middletown, Conn., exploded in February during a procedure to clean pipes by blowing natural gas through them.

That practice and other safety measures were the focus of Monday’s hearing, where U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, of Connecticut, said she would support banning “gas blow” procedures.

A separate hearing by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is scheduled for Monday night. It wants natural gas blows replaced too.