Five contract workers were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, following a flash explosion at an animal products recycling plant in Rose Hill, North Carolina.
Injured Workers Were Welding in Finished Products Area
The March 11th blast occurred shortly before 11:00 a.m. at the Valley Proteins plant located on Yellowcut Road, just off of Highway 117 in Duplin County, about 90 minutes south of Raleigh. The injured workers were in the facility’s finished product area and may have been welding at the time.
Medical helicopters transferred four of the victims to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill. A fifth traveled to Vidant Duplin Hospital in an ambulance, but was later transferred to the burn center.
Michael Smith, vice chairman of Valley Proteins, told WITN-TV that the workers may have suffered third degree burns. Reports also indicate that some of the injuries were considered critical, as they threatened the victims’ airways. All were reportedly conscious when they arrived at the hospital.
Dust May Have Triggered Valley Proteins Explosion
So far, authorities have not released the names of the injured workers, identified their employer, or commented on their current condition.
An official cause is yet to be determined. But according to Smith, dust may have triggered the explosion. He also suggested the contractor did not have the proper “hot work” permits for using welding and cutting equipment in that area.
The North Carolina Department of Labor, State Bureau of Investigation, and the Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the Valley Proteins plant explosion.
Valley Proteins Worker Severely Burned in 2015
“A full investigation will take place as to the cause of this accident,” Smith said. “Early reports suggest the physical plant sustained minor damage. We are praying for the five workers’ health and full recovery.”
Headquartered in Virginia, Valley Proteins recycles meat and poultry waste from the food industry to create animal feeds.
The company’s last serious accident occurred in December 2015, when a boiler room exploded in Accomac, Virginia. A worker suffered first- and second-degree burns to 60% percent of his body during that incident.
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