OSHA cites US Steel for Lethal Clairton Coke Works Explosion

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of labor announced February 18 that it had cited United States Steel Corp. and MPW Industrial Services, Inc., for exposing workers to unsafe working conditions following an August 2025 explosion in Clairton, Pennsylvania that injured 12 and killed two employees. The Pittsburgh-based steel is on the hook for $118,214 in penalties for seven serious and one other-than-serious violation. MPW, a cleaning services contractor employed by U.S. Steel, was found liable for four serious and two other-than-serious violations and faces fines of $61,473.

The administration determined that U.S. Steel and MPW were negligent in failing to use required safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work with flammable gas; MPW was also liable for failing to provide a relief valve for a high-pressure water system. Both companies have 15 business days to appeal or comply with the results.

The findings come after an August 11 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania. In an August 15 company statement, U.S. Steel said preliminary investigations found the explosion occurred when a valve failed when workers flushed it in preparation for planned maintenance, leading to a coke oven gas leak that subsequently ignited.

What people are saying

Federal safety inspectors determined that United States Steel Corp. failed to use required safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas,” read an unsigned February 18 OSHA statement. “OSHA also concluded that cleaning services contractor MPW Industrial Services failed to provide a relief valve for a high-pressure water system and did not coordinate energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to our emergency response team, who acted immediately in the wake of this tragic incident, and to all who provided support on site,” said David B. Burritt, CEO of U.S. Steel Corp the day of the explosion. “I know that here in Clairton, and across our U. S. Steel family, people are hurting. Let’s continue to do what we do best — stand together and support one another through these hard times. Counselors are available on site and remotely for anyone who needs them. We will thoroughly investigate the cause of this incident. I end every meeting and every message with the words, ‘Let’s get back to work safely.’ That commitment has never been more important, and we will honor it.” “The work we do is important and often challenging, but it should never, under any circumstances, come at the expense of safety.

“The USW has occupational health and safety experts and other representatives on the ground at the Clairton Works assessing the situation and aiding our members,” said USW District 10 Director Bernie Hall shortly after the explosion. “While we are still determining the scope of the tragedy, we are aware that multiple workers are receiving medical treatment for their injuries. In the coming days, we will work with the appropriate authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and to see that our members get the support they need.”

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