In February of this year, a tragic incident occurred at I. Schumann & Co.’s foundry located in Bedford, Ohio. A steam explosion resulted in the death of one worker and injuries to 15 others. The foundry, which recycles materials into metal alloys, ingots, and pellets, has since been closed, and a recent investigation reveals details about what went wrong.
The explosion was triggered when workers were inspecting a water leak on a furnace designed to smelt solid metals. Water leaked onto the molten metal inside the furnace, leading to a sudden steam explosion. This kind of explosion occurs when water becomes steam rapidly, causing an explosive burst.
Following the incident, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the explosion. On August 4th, OSHA cited the company for six serious violations of safety regulations and proposed a penalty of $62,500.
According to OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts, the tragedy was entirely preventable. He stated that if I. Schumann & Co. had followed known machine safety standards and applied specific safety procedures, the explosion would never have occurred.
I. Schumann & Co. responded to the citations with a statement that they were cooperating with the OSHA investigation but disputed some of the conclusions. They emphasized that they believed they were following safety guidelines at the time.
The foundry now has 15 business days to comply with OSHA’s findings, request a meeting with the agency, or contest the citations and fines.
Steve Mullins, a 46-year-old maintenance supervisor, lost his life in the incident. The damage to the foundry was described by a first responder on the scene as “pretty catastrophic.” The event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and standards in the workplace.
The ongoing investigation and dialogue between I. Schumann & Co. and OSHA underline the complex issues involved in ensuring workplace safety. The community of Bedford, along with those affected, await further developments as the company decides its next steps.
