Two Workers Suffer Burns in Blast at Goose Island Metal Refinery

Chicago, IL (Law Firm Newswire) February 10, 2019 – Two workers sustained serious injuries in a fire that occurred when a furnace exploded at a metal refinery on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois, on January 30.

According to Chicago Fire Department officials, the blast occurred at Sipi Metals Corporation at 12:18 p.m. The metal smelting and refining factory is located on North Elston Avenue in an industrial area near the Goose Island neighborhood.

Police said two employees were “badly burned” when the furnace they were using to melt metals suddenly exploded. The victims were in serious to critical condition when they were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. There were no other injuries reported.

Chicago personal injury law firm Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is representing one of the individuals injured in the explosion. “It is important that all safety regulations are properly enforced in the workplace, especially those that have the potential for fires or explosions,” commented Paul Greenberg, a personal injury attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. “Otherwise, dangerous fire and explosion accidents can occur, leaving victims with severe, long-term injuries such as burns, loss of limbs or nerve damage.”

According to local news reports, the January 2019 explosion was the second to occur at the factory. Records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicated there was a furnace-related explosion at the site in July 2010. Sipi Metals Corporation was cited and fined $3,500. One person suffered non-life-threatening burn injuries. Investigators determined that the employer failed to make sure that scrap metal being used with the furnace was “dry and void of any water or moisture.”

OSHA is the government agency that investigates workplace accidents and safety violations. It also enforces protective workplace safety and health standards.

“When a workplace accident occurs, there are likely to be many expenses for the injured individual, including medical bills and lost earnings,” said Greenberg. “In some cases, workers who have suffered injuries in a fire or explosion accident may be able to pursue a personal injury claim along with workers’ compensation,” said Greenberg.

Learn more at https://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.