Flags being lowered to half-staff to remember lives lost during U.S. Steel Clairton plant explosion one year ago
Flags were lowered to half-staff on Tuesday at U.S. Steel facilities in the Mon Valley to mark one year since two workers were killed in an explosion at the company's Clairton plant.
In a statement, U.S. Steel said that employees will pause for a moment of silence to remember Timothy Quinn and Steven Menefee, who both died in the deadly blast, and to "reflect on the impact of that day."
In addition to the two workers who were killed, 11 other people were injured last August when a valve broke, leading to coke oven gas igniting and exploding.
U.S. Steel employees throughout the Mon Valley Works operations are also expected to gather for safety discussions and meetings, with the company adding that the best way to honor fallen colleagues is to ensure every employee is able to return home safely at the end of their shift.
"It's tough. Every day you want to make sure you are doing all that you can to remember those folks and provide for their safety," United Steelworkers District 10 director Bernie Hall said.
The one-year mark comes as the union is going through collective bargaining with U.S. Steel. Part of it is calling for improved equipment and training for employees. They feel regulations don't mean anything if not enforced.
"Those are words on a piece of paper. On the shop floor, there is always going to be a push and pull between safety and production," Hall said.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the USW said some workers did not return. Others have had to seek mental health help. The union said it supports them and the families of Menefee and Quinn.
"We were there on the day of the explosion. We're here today a year later, and we will be here as long as they need us," Hall said.
In the wake of the deadly blast, U.S. Steel said it was strengthening safety protocols, including prohibiting the use of high-pressure water for cleaning valves.
On Monday, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board released its final report into the deadly explosion, saying that the blast "should never have happened."
In response to the report, U.S. Steel outlined other safety protocols it has strengthened, including improving its management of change program and having workers complete comprehensive training related to those changes.
U.S. Steel added it continues to commit itself to ensuring every employee gets home safe every day.
"As we honor their memory, and those of others we have lost, we also reflect on the responsibility we all share to protect one another and ensure safety remains at the center of everything we do," a company statement read.
