The Mosaic Co. spokesman David Townsend said the cause of the blast of a sulfuric acid vessel on Saturday, Nov. 23, which injured two contract workers, was still unknown and under investigation.
Townsend said the explosion occurred just before 2 p.m. during a welding job on the tank. One worker was struck by flying debris on the hand and the chest, while a second who was on the ground received an injury to his hand. The worker with the chest injury, who had just stepped onto a platform near the top of the vessel from a cherry picker, was transported to a hospital, while the second worker received first aid at the scene but was taken to a hospital later as a precaution. The two were wearing protective gear at the time of blast.
Townsend said the vessel, which carries vapor, was empty because the phosphate processing plant was down for a turnaround. He said reports that the roof lifted 100 feet could not be verified. He added there were no emissions or other environmental damage from the incident.