A catastrophic event hit close to home on the evening of September 20th and into the morning hours of September 21st. The event involved the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery in Oregon, Ohio, just across the river from Toledo, experiencing a major explosion and fire.
Two steelworkers, brothers Ben and Max Morrissey with United Steelworkers Local 1-346, were severely injured in the event. Sadly, both men died from their injuries. Quoting the press release put out by BP:[1]
“It is with deep sadness we report that two BP staff injured in a fire at the bp-Husky Toledo Refinery have passed away. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of these two individuals. All other staff is accounted for and our employee assistance team is on-site in Toledo to support our employees impacted by this tragedy.”
Witnesses on the scene described clouds of black smoke, flames, and burn-off clouding the sky on Tuesday night, accompanied by at least one major explosion that witnesses could feel. Thankfully, first responders were able to extinguish the blaze by 10:15 p.m. that evening.
The BP-Husky refinery has been running in that location for over a century. It covers 585 acres of land in Oregon, Ohio, and can process up to 155,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The refinery produces gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, diesel fuel, jet fuel, propane, propylene, flue gases, kerosene, sulfur, heating oil, pet coke, and asphalt.
A Help Fund Set Up in Honor of the Workers
WTOL 11, a local television station in Toledo, announced that Steelworkers Local 1-346 had set up a donation fund for the families of the two steelworkers killed, both of whom were fathers and husbands. The fund is called the “Ben and Max Morrissey Fund.” Donations are being accepted at:[2]
Croghan National Bank at 4157 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH 43616
USW Local 1-346 at 2910 Consaul St., Toledo, OH 43605
Creating a Safe Work Environment for All
A representative from OSHA arrived at the refinery on Wednesday. However, the cause of the explosion has not been released yet. However, the incident is a painful reminder of why worker safety is so important. For so many trades, workers perform their tasks in hazardous environments, places that can cause severe injury and death.
NRS Injury Law is dedicated to pursuing justice for victims of injury or wrongful death in the workplace. If workers are hurt, no matter the cause of their injury, they deserve compensation. And if their injuries result in death, their families need compensation to cope with losing a beloved family member and provider. If a workplace injury has severely harmed you or someone you know, contact NRS Injury Law today at 855.977.6670.
Sources Cited:
[1] BP. “BP America statement on the fire at bp-Husky Toledo Refinery.” British Petroleum, 2022. bp.com
[2] WTOL11. “Steelworkers killed in Tuesday fire and ‘explosion’ at BP refinery in Oregon identified as brothers.” WTOLL11, 2022. wtol.com
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