A Colorado steel mill explosion has sent seven workers to the hospital, three with critical injuries according to plant officials. The initial prognosis for all of the injured workers is that they are expected to survive. The most seriously injured workers suffered from respiratory system damage as well as burns.
Severe Injuries, and Extensive Damage Caused by Colorado Steel Mill Explosion
The furnace blast at the EVRAZ steel mill, located in Pueblo, Colorado, occurred Saturday night. Firefighters arrived soon after the explosion, together with multiple ambulances that were also promptly at the scene. Firefighters initially engaged in a search and rescue mission throughout the building to find all injured workers and triage all of the wounded personnel. Early reports from the scene indicate that no fire, or no significant blaze, resulted from the explosion.
There is yet no definitive information about the underlying cause of the Colorado steel mill explosion. An investigation into the cause of the blast is not yet underway consideringly only a relatively short time has passed since the EVRAZ steel mill explosion.
There is some early speculation as to what caused the Pueblo steel mill explosion. There is evidence to suggest that a cooling system failure occurred. The cooling system was associated with a furnace used to melt steel at the mill. Technically, the equipment in question is known as an electric arc furnace.
The specific malfunction appears to have resulted in water seeping into the furnace itself. The water continued to build up within the furnace, causing an ultimately intolerable increase in pressure. Ultimately, the extreme pressure resulted in the steel mill furnace blowing.
The Colorado steel mill is owned by EVRAZ, a Chicago-based company. EVRAZ is one of the top producers of rail and large-diameter steel pipe in North America, according to the company. In addition to the Pueblo steel mill, EVRAZ operates five other plants in different locations in the United States.
Industrial Explosions in the United States
Industrial accidents arising from explosions are very commonplace in the United States. On average, 37,000 explosions occur at industrial or manufacturing plants in the country each year. That breaks down to a startling 100 industrial explosions daily or four such events every hour.
The five most commonplace place types of industrial explosions in the country each year are:
- Equipment or machinery failures (like what occurred in Pueblo, Colorado)
- Electrical hazards
- Flammable gasses or liquids
- Hot work
- Combustible dust
Not only are industrial plant workers are injured each year as the result of explosions, but civilians are injured and killed as well. Nearly 300 civilians are injured and about 100 killed as a result of industrial explosions each year, according to data maintained by the National Fire Protection Association.
Your Vital Legal Rights Following Colorado Steel Mill Explosion
If you or a loved one have been injured in the Colorado steel mill explosion, or a similar type of industrial accident anywhere in the United States, the dedicated, experienced, tenacious legal team at The Doan Law Firm is here for you at (719) 822-0000 or (800) 349-0000. A nationwide law firm, we’ve 40 offices located across the country, including in 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
Our industrial accident injury hotlines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We can schedule an initial consultation with a Colorado steel mill explosion lawyer at any one of our offices in the Centennial State. We can also schedule an appointment at your home, the hospital, or any other location that works for you. A virtual case evaluation can be arranged via the Internet as well. There is no fee and no obligation for an initial consultation with a Doan Law Firm Colorado steel mill explosion lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney pledge to you. Our firm will never charge an attorney fee unless we win your case for you. The legal team at the Doan Law Firm is committed to winning big for you.