The last coke battery involved in deadly U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works blast restarts today

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. Steel is returning to service one of the two coke oven batteries at Clairton Coke Works involved in last year’s explosion that killed two workers and seriously injured five others.

The blast began as leaked coke oven gas ignited in the room connecting batteries 13 and 14. Battery 14 was restarted in late October.

The restart of battery 13 was scheduled to begin Thursday with first production of coke to follow on Friday.

In a statement, U.S. Steel said it has finished repairs on the battery, notified the Allegheny County Health Department and ensured that “emission controls will be active and closely monitored as the battery comes back online.”

The explosion on Aug. 11 launched an investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, which continues.

As U.S. Steel has worked to repair and rebuild facilities damaged by the blast, investigators grew concerned that the company is repeating some of the practices that the Chemical Safety Board said make certain areas “not capable of protecting occupants from explosion hazards.”

In December, investigators said U.S. Steel should perform a site-wide evaluation and noted that some damaged equipment was rebuilt “in almost the same location and layout as it was prior to the explosion.”

U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said on Thursday that the company is reviewing the board’s recommendations.

“We are conducting a thorough review and restructuring of our Management of Change program, which assesses proposed changes in procedures and evaluates risk,” she said. “We are reviewing corporate governance documents and adjusting language, as appropriate, to provide more detailed guidelines.”

When finalized, the company will train employees on any changes that are made, she said.

Courtesy: www.post-gazette.com