OSHA investigating Leetsdale Copper Plant explosion

It is reported that OSHA officials are investigating an explosion that injured three people at a copper plant in Leetsdale early recently.

As per report, the explosion happened at Hussey Copper along Washington Street at about 9:30 AM. Investigators described the explosion as minor and said it happened when water spilled beneath ingots during the copper-making process.

Mr James Santucci Leetsdale Police Chief said "We had two other victims who were down in the hole. Once the minor explosion occurred they were burned about twenty percent of their body."

All three victims are being treated in the burn unit at UPMC Mercy Hospital. None of the victims’ names or conditions have been released. The plant was not evacuated and continued to operate normally Tuesday.

Target 11 discovered that OSHA has fined Hussey Copper nearly USD 60,000 during the past decade. Some of those fines were from an explosion in 2000 that injured five workers.

That blast was triggered when a broken water line leaked into the copper casting process. The company was also fined USD 5,000 for lack of personal protective equipment. There is no word on whether Hussey will be fined in conjunction with the incident Tuesday.