Pennsylvania Steel Plant Explosion Sparks Calls for Investigation Amid History of Accidents and Violations.

A US Steel plant in Pennsylvania, Clairton Coke Works, has experienced an explosion that killed one and injured 10. The facility has a history of accidents and violations over the past 15 years, including multiple fires, worker injuries, lawsuits, and fines. US Steel underinvested in its facilities, leading to the company's takeover by Nippon Steel Corp. The incident comes as Nippon Steel is investing billions to upgrade and modernize US Steel's Mon Valley Works facilities.

An explosion at the Clairton Coke Works facility in Pennsylvania has resulted in one death and ten injuries, highlighting the ongoing safety concerns at the plant. The incident occurred at the coke oven batteries 13 and 14, with emergency teams dispatched immediately [3].

Clairton Coke Works, a major producer of coke used in steelmaking, has a history of accidents and legal issues. Over the past 15 years, the plant has faced multiple fires, worker injuries, lawsuits, and fines. In 2018, a fire damaged the plant's sulfur pollution controls, and in 2010, an explosion injured 15 workers [1][2]. The Allegheny County Health Department has fined US Steel nearly $2 million for processing and equipment issues and $2.2 million for hydrogen sulfide emissions [2].

US Steel's underinvestment in its facilities led to the company's takeover by Nippon Steel Corp. The Japanese steelmaker has committed to investing billions to upgrade and modernize US Steel's Mon Valley Works facilities, including the Clairton plant. The latest incident underscores the need for thorough safety measures and investment in the facility [2].

The incident comes as US Steel and Nippon Steel Corp. finalized a "historic partnership," with the U.S. government having a say in some matters. The company is working with authorities to investigate the cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage [3].