Three killed, 44 injured in plant explosion

Minutes before an explosion that blew up an annex storage building at the Falk Corp. in Milwaukee on Dec. 6, skilled machinist David L. Mays smelled gas. He and co-worker Clyde Lee investigated and found the valve on a 30,000-gallon liquid propane tank hissing. Both workers saw the illuminated warning light. (www.jsonline.com)

At this point a supervisor arrived with maintenance workers, one of whom closed the valve. The pump to run the tank was turned off and doors and windows were opened for ventilation, but Mays was skeptical. Although the supervisor ordered everyone back to work, Mays, a 39-year worker at the plant, said he told everyone they should clear out.

There is still a dispute as to whether company officials put in motion an evacuation plan in other areas of the plant’s sprawling complex. About 700 workers make large heavy gears at Falk, mostly for mining.

Two workers who stayed behind to help with the propane tank—Thomas LeTendre and Daniel T. Kuster—were killed in the blast, which completely destroyed the annex building, damaged nearby buildings and could be heard and felt miles away. Curtis J. Lane was also killed in the blast and at least 44 workers were injured.

Mays, a Vietnam veteran, said the blast reminded him of incoming mortar shells. He said of his co-workers—women and men—We’ve all been there for over 20 years. We are all like a family.”

The Falk Corp. is owned by the transnational corporation Rexnord Corp. It is one of the oldest industrial manufacturing plants in Milwaukee. Investigations by OSHA and other local, state and federal agencies continue. The Rexnord Corp. has deposited a mere $100,000 in a fund for the families of those killed and is intent on having the community contribute to this.

A massive outpouring of emotional and material support from fellow workers and community members city and statewide is ongoing for the workers killed and injured.

Workers and others are directing many questions at the Rexnord bosses, including: Is the corporation compensating the families of those killed and injured for the long term? Are they paying workers idled by this explosion their full wages and benefits and providing for their needs, including compensation for their vehicles damaged in the explosion?

What provisions and safety measures are being put in place so another, maybe worse, explosion doesn’t happen before production resumes?

And why are local and state government officials like Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle saying that they stand ready to help provide Rexnord with possibly millions of dollars in outright state “aid” or tax “incentives” before a full investigation has even been completed? If Rexnord is found culpable for the explosion and therefore the deaths and injuries of workers, why should state and federal taxpayers pay for what are this corporation’s responsibilities or rebuild its facilities?