Workers Injured in Pennsylvania Coke Blast Sue U.S. Steel

Three men burned in a July explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works have sued claiming the steelmaker’s managers directed them to repair a “live” gas line even after an alarm went off warning of high levels of natural gas.

U.S. Steel Corp. spokeswoman Courtney Boone said the company doesn’t comment on litigation.

The lawsuits were filed on behalf of three men who worked for a subcontractor U.S. Steel hired to service a gas line, Power Piping.

Their attorney, John Gismondi, said he disagrees with a previously filed lawsuit blaming Power Piping for the explosion.

Gismondi said, “Make no mistake, U.S. Steel, not Power Piping, dictated how this work was to be done.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the July 14 explosion, which injured 15 workers.