A recent tragedy at a Florida company claimed the lives of two men. Five others were also injured in the incident at the Big Bend Power Station. Officials state that the investigation of the accident could take six months. However, those injured and the survivors of the deceased are likely eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner preliminary reports state that the men who were killed were operating pressure washers when molten slag burned them it gushed out of a clogged tank. Tampa Electric officials reported that efforts were underway to unclog the tank when the incident happened. A 60-year-old senior plant manager and a 40-year-old contractor died at the scene. Five other workers were sent to a nearby hospital with injuries.
Pressure washing is a common way to clean a slag tank, according to a fire consultant company that investigates explosions. However, a similar explosion occurred in 2007 in White Springs, according to an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A worker’s femoral artery was cut from the power of the stream of water.
Only the 60-year-old plant manager worked for Tampa Electric. Others worked for various contracting companies. Four of the workers injured in the explosion remained in the hospital with life-threatening burns. One worker was treated at the hospital and released.
Employees in Florida have the right to a safe working environment. Businesses in every sector are required to have comprehensive safety procedures and guidelines in place. When tragedies occur, survivors of the deceased employees are eligible for death benefits from the state-regulated workers’ compensation insurance program. Likewise, injured employees are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. A knowledgeable attorney can work with clients to ensure that they receive the full amount of benefits to which they are entitled.
Source: tampabay.com, “Hillsborough medical examiner: Two dead at TECO plant were power-washing near slag tank“, Sara DiNatale, Dan Sullivan, Anastasia Dawson and Neil Bedi, July 1, 2017