U.S. Steel to restart 2nd battery involved in deadly explosion

By QUINCEY REESE
TribLive

Almost exactly six months after two workers were killed and 11 injured in a series of explosions at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, the nation’s largest coke manufacturing facility will resume operation at one of its batteries Thursday.

The first of three explosions occurred at the facility around 10:45 a.m. Aug. 11. Timothy Quinn, 39, of South Huntingdon, and Steven Menefee, 52, of East Huntingdon were killed in the blasts.

First responders from 14 fire departments and 20 EMS companies spent hours searching the 293-acre property for survivors.

Two independent investigations of the incident — by Engineering Desire and Testing Corp. and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board — suggested the explosions took place in the 13-14 Coke Battery transfer area while employees opened and closed the valve to prepare for planned maintenance.

A coke battery is a large industrial structure housing multiple slot-shaped ovens. Coal is heated in an oxygen- free environment inside the batteries to create coke — a material used to make steel. The board’s report indicated a gas monitor alarm was triggered and employees were ordered to evacuate before the explosion. But the corporation’s report said the explosion took place when an 18-inch cast iron valve ruptured, releasing flammable coke oven gas.

U.S. Steel announced Wednesday night it will restart work at battery No. 13 on Thursday. Since August, the battery has been on “hot idle,” meaning it was heated but not used for coke production. This was done to allow for repairs and equipment checks, said Amanda Malkowski, senior media relations manager for U.S. Steel.

The battery is expected to start producing coke on Friday, she said.

“Throughout the process, we’ll be focused on operating safety and responsible,” Malkowski said in a statement. “We’ve notified the Allegheny County Health Department and will stay in close communication as the restart moves forward. Emissions controls will be active and closely monitored as the battery comes back online.”

Several explosions have occurred at the coke works since its inception in 1916. U.S. Steel maintains that its facilities are safe.

“As we take this step,” Malkowski said, “we continue to hold in our thoughts the employees who were injured or lost during the Aug. 11 incident. We remain mindful of their families, colleagues and loved ones. Their memory guides our commitment to safety every day.”