1999 — March 29, Explosion, Independence Professional Fireworks Co., Osseo, MI — 5

— 5  Chicago Tribune. “Deadly Blast Called Accidental.” 4-6-1999.

— 5  MI CIS. “Fireworks Safety — Independence Fireworks.” MI OSHA News, 3/3, Fall 1999, p3.

 

Narrative Information

 

Chicago Tribune: “Osseo, Michigan — The explosion and fire that left five people dead at a fireworks company one week ago has been classified as accidental, though the investigation is ongoing, fire officials said Monday. Fire officials said the March 29 explosion at Independence Professional Fireworks Co. near Osseo could have been caused by something as simple as static electricity in the air. Sergeant Ken Hersha of the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division said the sweep of the door as owner Robert Slayton entered the building might have been enough to ignite the explosion. ‘It looks like he was just walking in the door, and that’s why he was able to stagger 300 feet away on fire,’ Hersha told The Jackson Citizen Patriot for a story Monday. Slayton died that night in a hospital with burns over 85 percent of his body. Slayton’s wife, Patricia, and three employees died of carbon-monoxide poisoning inside the building. The deadly blast followed a December explosion that killed seven people at the factory.

 

“Although fire officials have said the blast was accidental, they said specifics for both are still under investigation.” (Chicago Tribune. “Deadly Blast Called Accidental.” 4-6-1999.)

 

MI CIS: “On Dec. 11, 1998, seven workers died in an explosion at Independence Professional Fireworks in Osseo, Michigan….A subsequent explosion occurred at the same location Monday, March 29, 1999, killing five more workers, including the owners…..

 

“`This second explosion shows that there was an utter disregard on the employer’s part to protect his workers,” said Wilbur.[1] “These explosions illustrate the need for workplace standards to prevent catastrophic incidents involving highly hazardous chemicals.’….

 

“Under Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) rules, manufacturers of explosives have responsibilities concerning the use of explosive chemicals. MIOSHA’s Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (PSM) of 1993 was designed to help prevent catastrophic accidents, when complied with by employers. Company management was made aware of the PSM standard in 1994, but did not implement the life-saving procedures. ‘MIOSHA promulgated this standard specifically because work with highly hazardous chemicals requires stringent and detailed safeguards to protect workers,’ said Wilbur.

 

“ATF, the State Police Fire Marshal Division and MIOSHA all conducted investigations of both explosions. Independence Professional Fireworks voluntarily surrendered its license to ATF after

the second explosion….” (MI CIS. “Fireworks Safety — Independence Fireworks.” MI OSHA News, 3/3, Fall 1999, p. 3.)

 

Sources

 

Chicago Tribune. “Deadly Blast Called Accidental.” 4-6-1999. Accessed 12-21-2015 at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-04-06/news/9904060255_1_explosion-and-fire-fire-officials-fireworks

 

Michigan Consumer & Industry Services, Bureau of Safety & Regulation. “Fireworks Safety — Independence Fireworks.” MI OSHA News (Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Act), Vol. 3, No. 3, Fall 1999, pp. 3 & 20, Lansing, MI. Accessed 12-19-2015 at: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/CIS_WSH_minwsf99_27783_7.pdf

 

 

[1] CIS Director Kathy Wilbur.