One year after a deadly explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton coke works, two workers are being remembered.
U.S. steel and the United Steelworkers marked the anniversary Tuesday by lowering flags to half-staff across Mon Valley Works and holding a moment of silence.
The two workers killed in the explosion were 39-year-old Timothy Quinn and 52-year-old Steven Menefee.
Employees are also taking part in safety discussions throughout the day.
U.S. Steel says honoring their memory means keeping safety at the center of every shift and making sure every employee gets home safely.
The full statement reads:
This morning, U. S. Steel and the United Steelworkers came together to honor our colleagues who lost their lives in the tragic incident at U. S. Steel's Clairton Plant last year. Across Mon Valley Works, flags were lowered to half-staff as employees paused for a moment of silence to remember them, reflect on the impact of that day, and keep their families, friends, and loved ones in our thoughts. Throughout the day, employees will gather for safety discussions and meetings, recognizing that the best way to honor our fallen colleagues is to remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring every employee returns home safely at the end of every shift. As we honor their memory, and those of others we have lost, we also reflect on the responsibility we all share to protect one another and ensure safety remains at the center of everything we do.
One year later, the loss remains deeply felt. For many, steelmaking is more than a job. It is a way of life built on trust, teamwork, and looking out for one another. The bonds formed in our mills extend beyond the workplace, connecting coworkers, families, and communities. Those bonds are especially important during difficult times, and they bring us together today to remember those we lost.
While time has passed, our commitment to remembering those we lost has not. Their memory strengthens our resolve to care for one another, uphold our commitment to safety, and never lose sight of what matters most. Today, and every day, we remember our colleagues and keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board's final report on the deadly explosion last year at US Steel's Clairton Coke Plant says it "should never have happened."
U.S. Steel and its contractor, MPW Services over pressurized a piece of equipment while cleaning it.
The large cast-iron valve cracked and coke oven gas escaped and caused a catastrophic blast that killed two people, injured 11 more and cause over $52 million dollars of damage.
The Chemical Safety Board concluded that U.S. Steel and its contractor not only ignored procedures they didn't even have them in place to ensure safety.
The major mistake was using water instead of steam to clean the valve.
U.S. Steel in a statement said since the accident, they have established standardized best practices for industrial valve cleaning and employees have completed comprehensive training on the procedural changes.
A report says the accident 'should never have happened'
A report says the accident 'should never have happened'
