Explosion 4 Months after OSHA Fines Kills Minnesota Teen

http://stcloud.injuryboard.com/wrongful-death/waconia-propane-blast-kills-teen-injures-another.aspx?googleid=264612

June 11, 2009 10:15 AM

By Joe Crumley

A Waconia High School senior, 17 year old Ryan Samuelson, was killed Wenesday when a propane tank exploded. Waconia Farm Supply, where the incident occurred, was fined as recently as February for safety violations in their handling of compressed gases.

The Star Tribune story reported:

A routine safety inspection of the business on Feb. 17 found two violations related to the handling and storage of compressed gases, according to reports on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration website. One violation was classified as serious, which OSHA describes as one that could result in death or serious harm.

It is unknown what relation the earlier violations had with Wednesday's explosion. The cause of the tragedy is unknown, and is being investigated by the state Fire Marshal with the help of the Carver County Sheriff's office and OSHA, who had discovered the earlier violations.

Another teenager, whose identity is being withheld, was also hurt, apparently suffering a hand injury, and was treated at nearby Ridgeview Medical Center.

If Ryan was indeed an employee of the Waconia Farm Supply, his family may be told that their legal remedy is limited to Workers Compensation benefits. However, often such blasts are caused by defective parts or negligent nonemployees, or gross negligence and a full range of damages may be available.

FULL story at link.

with the explosions. They were cited for not having tanks of welding gases secured with a chain to keep them from falling over. They repaired the problem before OSHA left.