Eight workers were injured last week in a catastrophic Colorado steel mill explosion in Pueblo. Three of those individuals remain in critical condition with no clear prognosis yet in site. An alarming additional fact has now been made known about the Colorado steel mill explosion. EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel, the owner of the plant where the massive blast occurred, has previously been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, for putting its workers at risk of an explosion as well as other hazards.
Prior OSHA Safety Violations at the EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel Plant in Pueblo
EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel received an OSHA citation for serious safety violations in 2017. In that serious violation citation, OSHA stated:
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to explosion and struck-by hazards.
The comprehensive inspection and report of violations was precipitated by an explosion at the Colorado steel mill in 2016. OSHA recommended an array of changes to be undertaken at the site to enhance worker safety. No information currently is available about those changes or alterations. EVRAZ has advised that the company did comply with the directives in the 2017 violation citation. There is no confirmation from OSHA at this time that compliance occurred in regard to the prior explosion.
Status of OSHA Investigation Into 2021 EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Colorado Steel Plant Explosion
The most recent EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Colorado Steel Plant explosion occurred on Saturday, May 29, 2021. Consequently, the OSHA investigation into the blast and its causes is only now just commencing. Therefore, no information is available from the worker safety agency regarding the blast and its aftermath. No time frame has been established for when an OSHA investigation will be completed.
With that noted, both the company and the local fire department established a scenario for why they think the Colorado steel mill explosion occurred. They speculate that water seeped into the electric arc furnace system. The furnace is used in the fabrication of steel products.
As the water built up in the furnace, pressure likewise continued to build. Ultimately, excessive pressure inside the furnace resulted in the devastating blast. As mentioned previously, eight workers were injured as a result of the explosion, three of them in critical condition.
Your Legal Rights After a Devastating Colorado Industrial Accident
If you or a loved one have been injured in a Colorado industrial accident like the EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Colorado Steel Plant explosion, the legal team at The Doan Law Firm is here for you. We are a nationwide law firm with offices located throughout the state of Colorado:
Pueblo/Colorado Springs:
1755 Telstar Drive
Suite 300
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920
(719) 822-0000
Denver:
999 18th Street
Suite 3000
Denver, Colorado 80202
(720) 744-0000
Boulder:
1434 Spruce Street
Suite 100
Boulder, Colorado 80302
(720) 767-0000
We can arrange an initial consultation with an EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Colorado Steel Plant explosion lawyer any time convenient for you. We can meet with you at any one of our Colorado offices, at your home, at the hospital, or any other location convenient for you. Our local injury hotlines in Pueblo/Colorado Springs, Denver, and Boulder are staffed around the clock, 365 days a year, including all major holidays.
We can also schedule a virtual case evaluation for you with a EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Colorado Steel Plant explosion lawyer online as well. There is never a fee charged for an initial consultation with an experienced, committed attorney from our firm.
As an aside, we represent industrial accident victims across the United States. You can schedule a no-charge, no-obligation case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm industrial accident attorney no matter where you may be located in the country. You can reach us night or by calling (800) 349-0000.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee guarantee to you. Our firm will never charge a fee in your case unless we win for you. We are committed to fighting tirelessly to win big for you.