Federal Agency Cites Safety Lapses After Deadly Blast at US Steel Plant

OSHA finds incomplete procedures and inadequate training exposed workers to explosion risk at Clairton Coke Works.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited U.S. Steel for a series of safety shortcomings that 'exposed' workers to a deadly explosion at the company's Clairton Coke Works plant near Pittsburgh in August 2026. The blast killed two workers and injured 11 others, including contractors. OSHA found that U.S. Steel's written procedures, practices, and training for safely maintaining equipment and flushing gas valves were incomplete, outdated or inadequate.

Why it matters

The Clairton Coke Works plant has a history of accidents and explosions, raising concerns about workplace safety and environmental compliance at the facility, which is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The OSHA findings highlight broader issues around management, investment, and oversight at the plant that have allegedly contributed to air pollution and safety risks for workers.

The details

According to OSHA, the August 2026 explosion occurred as workers were flushing a gas valve in preparation for routine maintenance. The valve ruptured and released combustible coke oven gas, leading to the deadly blast. OSHA cited 10 violations and fined U.S. Steel a total of $118,214 for the safety lapses. The agency said U.S. Steel's written procedures, practices and training were incomplete, outdated or inadequate, 'exposing' employees to the explosion hazard.

  • The August 2026 blast killed two workers and injured 11 others.
  • In October 2026, U.S. Steel's vice president said workers had 'trapped 3,000 PSI water inside a valve rated for 50 PSI', causing the valve to crack and release gas.

The players

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal agency that investigates workplace safety and issues citations and fines for violations.

U.S. Steel

The steel manufacturing company that operates the Clairton Coke Works plant where the deadly explosion occurred.

Chemical Safety Board

A federal agency that is continuing to investigate the Clairton Coke Works explosion.

Bernie Hall

The United Steelworkers' district director, who said the union is dedicated to working with management to implement OSHA's recommendations and improve workplace safety.

Kurt Barshick

U.S. Steel's vice president of the Mon Valley Works, who provided details about the August 2026 explosion during a presentation to local residents.

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What they’re saying

“We will continue our dialogue with OSHA and other agencies involved.”

— U.S. Steel (Breitbart)

“We are dedicated to working with management to implement OSHA's recommendations — especially those that incorporate process safety management — and continue our mission to make our workplaces safer.”

— Bernie Hall, United Steelworkers' district director (Breitbart)

What’s next

The Chemical Safety Board continues to investigate the Clairton Coke Works explosion, and U.S. Steel has deadlines to fix the safety issues identified by OSHA.

The takeaway

The OSHA findings underscore longstanding concerns about workplace safety and environmental compliance at the Clairton Coke Works plant, which has a history of accidents. This incident highlights the need for stronger oversight, investment, and a renewed focus on worker protections at industrial facilities like this one.