Four employees sustained injuries in an explosion at an Edmond manufacturing business, which officials say was caused by a dust cloud and a kerosene heater. According to a news report in The Edmond Sun, the workers were trying to clear an obstruction in one of the machines at the plant when it became clogged. At the time, a pipe became disconnected and a polymer, which is a type of powdery substance, was released creating a dust cloud. The dust reached an industrial space heater, which operates on kerosene and had an open flame. This sparked the explosion. Four workers suffered burn injuries. Two of the employees suffered severe burns. The facility has been shut down pending an official investigation.
Burn injuries, in addition to being extremely painful, can also be extremely expensive to treat. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a total of 4,547 people were killed in work-related accidents in the United States. Of those, 187 fatalities were caused by fires and explosions.
It is the duty of employers to provide a safe environment for their workers. After a workplace accident, there are several lingering questions. Were the workers properly trained for the job? Were there any safety violations that caused the accident? Did the workers involved receive safety training? Were the workers adequately supervised? Was there some type of a product defect or equipment malfunction that caused the accident? Injured workers can claim workers’ compensation benefits from their employers to help pay for medical expenses and treatment costs. In addition, depending on the circumstances of the incident, third-party compensation may also be available.
The experienced Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyers at The Maples Law Firm have a long and successful track record of helping injured workers and their families. Please contact us at 1(405) 705-5050 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
