4 contract workers injured in cogen plant explosion

EBENSBURG – Following an explosion Tuesday that injured four contractors at the Cambria Cogen plant, officials have provided additional information about the circumstances of the incident.

According to a press release from the plant’s Houston-based parent company, Northern Star Generation Co., the contractors were injured during the clear out plant coal bunkers around 9 a.m.

Contrary to initial reports that workers were cleaning boilers at the time of the incident, David Sims, general manager of NorthernStar Generation, said contractors were using an explosive charge to loosen the build-up in fuel bunkers at the top of the boilers – a standard practice in the industry.

This work, if needed, is performed during plant outages and not on a day-to-day basis, Sims said, and the work has taken place in the past without injury.

Two of the contractors received “serious” burns from the blast, the release said, and Sims said no Cambria Cogen workers were injured.

A 911 supervisor confirmed Tuesday three contractors were transported to UPMC Altoona with burn-related injuries and another who suffered minor injuries refused treatment at the scene.

Officials at the contractors’ home office were notified and were in transit to the area Tuesday, Sims added.

 

Sims confirmed the last incident involving an injury at Cambria Cogen was in 2012.

Article Source: http://www.tribdem.com/news/four-contract-workers-injured-in-tuesday-morning-explosion-at-cogen/article_6abfa7f0-8b6f-11e6-a936-5b882b84c86c.html

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