A welder was killed in the explosion of a 10,000-gallon gas tank, an accident that could happen in California or anywhere that highly flammable material is stored in large tanks. Authorities were investigating the Pennsylvania blast, and had not ruled out negligence or carelessness in the Aug. 19 accident. In 2011, 4,609 workers were killed while on the job, according to statistics from the United States Department of Labor. That was a rate of about 90 deaths per week, or almost 13 per day.
The tragic blast occurred in an industrial park in Mercer County near the Ohio line. It was unknown what the oil company welder was working at the time of the explosion, but he was welding near the tank, according to a fire department official. The man reportedly died of blunt-force trauma to the head. No one else was hurt in the incident, which sent the metal tank hurtling across a nearby road.
Officials from the Department on Environmental Protection were called in and investigators were questioning oil company officials at the scene. Propane tanks near the 10,000-gallon gas tank weren’t affected by the blast and the company offices sustained minimal damage, according to firefighters.
Industrial accidents in California can cause personal injury or wrongful death to those involved. Individuals and families affected by industrial workers’ accidents may find it helpful to talk to an attorney experienced in litigating injury claims, seeking workers’ compensation and filing Social Security disability claims. Such a lawyer may also be able to assist in arranging compensation for lost wages and medical treatment following various other types of workplace accidents.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, “OSHA Commonly Used Statistics.”
Source: ABC NEWS, “10,000-Gallon Fuel Tank Explodes, 1 Dead”, August 20, 2013
