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Worker Killed in Propane Explosion

Aug. 16, 2002

A deadly incident at a steel fabrication plant in St. Joseph Township, Mich., yesterday could have been much worse without the quick thinking of some employees.

Sandy Smith

Police say propane gas built up inside a welding tank at Liberty Steel Fabricating Inc. and when employee Dustin Gaul sparked his welding torch, the gas exploded. Other employees quickly turned off welding tanks and electricity to avoid a larger, more catastrophic explosion.

The blast that rocked the facility killed Gaul, 25, and was strong enough to blow a 130-pound piece of metal into the roof of the structure, causing significant damage.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is investigating.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.