LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Friday, state investigators were back out at the scene of a plant explosion in Bluegrass Industrial Park. They want to know what caused it and what injured two workers. WAVE 3 has uncovered that Universal Woods, a wood panel manufacturer, has been cited for safety violations in the past.
In 2004, the plant had five safety violations but no fines were assessed. Around 4 p.m. on June 23, two Universal Woods workers suffered burns and after they used a metal rod to clear a clog in a sawdust collector. Firefighters suspect the rod caused a spark that ignited the explosion that sent flames 50 to 100 feet into the air.
OSHA said it's too early to say whether the workers violated any safety rules. Their investigation could take months and any violations and fines won't be known until it's complete.
The packing and shipping areas of the plant were reopened Friday morning. The damaged machinery will cost $20,000 to repair.
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