As safety advocates and others from Pennsylvania and around the U.S. watch in the aftermath of the West, Texas explosion, additional workplace accidents are making the headlines. After one person died following a dangerous chemical explosion in Louisiana on June 13, a second person also succumbed to his injuries from the workplace accident. Six other injured workers were still in a medical facility receiving treatment. However, about 100 people were treated on site.
The second victim, a 47-year-old male, passed away on June 14. The accident also claimed the life of a 29-year-old employee. The CEO of the company expressed his grief at the tragedy and emphasized that his facility had a track record of safety.
Although the exact reasons for the accident are unknown, at least one chemical exploded. Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident and trying to determine what damages have occurred onsite. The 25-acre plant is closed for an unknown period of time, although workers will continue to receive pay. However, employees are working on cleanup at the plant. Officials from the facility are cooperating with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in order to ensure safety at the plant. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is also looking into possible problems the explosion could have caused. They have not found any reasons for concern. However, employees at a neighboring facility filed a class-action lawsuit when a worker there complained of damage he suffered from the chemical smoke. OSHA can take as long as six months to submit their findings on the explosion.
With increased media attention on workplace accidents, employees could wonder what their rights are if they are injured. A workers’ compensation attorney might be able to help someone who has been injured on the job.
Source: L.A. Times, “2nd victim dies from Louisiana chemical plant explosion“, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, June 14, 2013