On April 8th, 2021, a plant explosion occurred at the OneH2 facility in Long View, North Carolina. The explosion resulted in the death of one worker and the injury of several others. The incident is currently under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local authorities.
The OneH2 facility produces hydrogen fuel for use in transportation and industrial applications. The explosion occurred during the process of filling a hydrogen tube trailer, which is used to transport compressed hydrogen gas. The cause of the explosion is not yet known, but early reports suggest that a pressure vessel may have failed.
The worker who died in the explosion has been identified as 51-year-old Richard “Rick” C. Hastings Jr. Hastings was a resident of Claremont, North Carolina and had worked for OneH2 for over two years. He leaves behind a wife and two children.
In the wake of the explosion, OneH2 released a statement expressing their condolences to Hastings’ family and pledging to cooperate with authorities in their investigation. The company also stated that they are committed to ensuring the safety of their employees and customers.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety. According to OSHA, there were 5,333 workplace fatalities in the United States in 2019. While this number represents a decrease from previous years, it is still far too high. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees, and workers have the right to speak up if they feel that their safety is being compromised.
OSHA will conduct a thorough investigation into the OneH2 plant explosion to determine the cause and any potential violations of safety regulations. If violations are found, OneH2 could face fines or other penalties. However, no amount of punishment can bring back the life that was lost in this tragic incident.
As we mourn the loss of Richard Hastings and pray for the recovery of those injured in the explosion, let us also remember the importance of workplace safety. Every worker deserves to go home safely at the end of the day, and it is up to all of us to make sure that happens.
