Fatal accident at steel plant being investigated

Two investigations are underway following an accident at the Mittal Steel plant in South Coatesville on Saturday night that killed a Lancaster County man and left two other workers hospitalized.

John Winski, 45, of Gap, died from extensive burns Sunday morning at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center, according to Delaware County Medical Examiner Fredric N. Hellman.

William Solen Jr., 38, of Atglen, remains in critical condition at Temple University Hospital, said his mother, Janice Solen. A third man, identified by a coworker as Sean Rogers, was also at Crozer-Chester, where he was listed in critical condition yesterday, hospital officials said.

Mittal spokesman David Allen said the accident was caused by an "eruption in the electric arc furnace," a facility where scrap metal is melted into new steel. He said the company, in conjunction with the United Steelworkers of America, has launched an investigation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has also initiated a probe into the accident, said spokeswoman Leni Uddyback-Forstan. In April, Mittal was fined $4,500 for a work-related accident at the same plant, she said, but the company contested that penalty and is in negotiations with OSHA to resolve the issue. - Nancy Petersen