2 remain hospitalized following EVRAZ steel mill explosion in Pueblo

Jun. 3—Two of the eight employees injured during an explosion at the EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel Mill Saturday remained hospitalized Wednesday as officials probe the site to try to determine the cause of the blast and assess the damage.

"One of the patients at Parkview Hospital was released and went home (Tuesday)," said David Kenney, EVRAZ communications consultant and president of The Kenney Group media relations firm based in Denver.

The two patients who remain hospitalized — one at Parkview and one at the UCHealth burn unit in Denver — are expected to survive.

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with our injured colleagues and their families," Kenney said.

"This is a difficult time for all of us, we are saddened by the injuries to our team members and we will do everything we can to support them and their families through their recovery, while we work to identify and rectify the causes of this terrible event."

The explosion occurred in an electric arc furnace at about 5 p.m. Saturday. David Light, vice president of operations at the Pueblo location, told the Chieftain he believed the eruption was caused by water getting into the electrical furnace, causing pressure to build and ultimately erupt.

"In the confusion of the immediate aftermath of the event, there was initial uncertainty as to the scope and severity of the event," Kenney said. "Initially, seven employees were transported to the hospital for treatment.

"An eighth employee went to the hospital for care later Saturday evening. Five of those employees received treatment and were released."

"Please keep them, along with their families and those who witnessed the accident, in your thoughts and prayers," said Eric Ludwig, president of the United Steelworkers 2102 Union on the union's Facebook page.

Ludwig declined to comment further.

In partnership with United Steel Workers and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, EVRAZ has begun an investigation into the incident.

"OSHA has already been on site and has commenced their investigation. We have established a command center and operations, maintenance and engineering (officials) are working collectively to determine the precise cause of the explosion, assess damage and develop a time-table for repairs," Kenney said.

The furnace, which remained operational during the pandemic that shut down other portions of the mill, is now shut down, making it rare for Puebloans to not see the signature plume of steam coming from the mill.

"The steel making portion of the mill where the explosion occurred is closed as they have their investigation and assess the damage. Other parts of the mill are still functional because we had steel in stock," Kenney said.

The United Steel Workers Emergency Response Team is working with EVRAZ Human Resources officials to provide support to employees. Magellan Health Care, an Employee Assistance Program, will have a crisis grief counselor onsite this week.

"Any team members in need are also encouraged to utilize the Employee Assistance Program 24 hours a day by calling 800-523-5668," Kenney said.

"This is a difficult time for all of us, we are saddened by the injuries to our team members and we will do everything we can to support them and their families through their recovery, while we work to identify and rectify the causes of this terrible event."

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.

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