Tacoma foundry to appeal explosion report

A Tacoma foundry that was the scene of a deadly gas explosion and fireball last October plans to appeal a citation and $19,200 fine issued against it Friday by the state Department of Labor & Industries.

The foundry, Atlas Castings & Technology, says the explosion was caused by the errors of an independent truck driver who was attempting to repair a damaged propane gas hose coupling at the time of the explosion.

That version of events is at odds with the state agency's investigation, which concluded that Atlas workers and procedures led to the release of gas and subsequent explosion during a routine delivery to the company’s foundry. The agency cited Atlas for four separate violations.

"Although Atlas was cited, it is important to note that the L&I investigation is quite limited in its scope and it does not address the responsibilities of others involved in this incident," said Duane Britschgi, president of Atlas Castings & Technology, in announcing the company's appeal.

"It is equally important that none of the issues for which we were cited caused the fire or explosion that injured the delivery truck driver, Charles McDonald," Britschgi said.

Atlas said in a statement that McDonald was not properly investigated for his role in the explosion because he was an independent contractor and not an employee of IXL Transportation Services, the owner of the tanker truck that was used to deliver the liquid propane gas which Atlas had purchased.

Atlas contended that McDonald knowingly violated federal regulations when he failed to immediately “red tag” the propane delivery hose system. Red tagging is done to alert users to necessary repairs that must be completed by appropriately trained and licensed technicians.

Instead, McDonald violated regulations when he urged and directed Atlas employees to assist him with attempted repairs to the damaged hose coupling, Atlas claims in its appeal.

He also knowingly violated federal regulations when he connected the repaired hose to the tanker trailer before federally required pressure testing could be completed to ensure its safety, Atlas claims. The company says McDonald was the only party involved in the incident that was trained and licensed to use the equipment.

"Our hearts go out to the family of Charles McDonald for the terrible loss they have suffered,” Britschgi said. “Yet, it remains clear that had McDonald followed federal regulations and red-tagged the system on his initial inspection, this terrible tragedy would have never occurred.”

McDonald's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Atlas. The company, in turn, as filed a countersuit against the family because of the extensive damages to its equipment by the explosion.

Atlas also has filed claims against IXL Transportation Services, Pro-Techs Inc. and Engineered Controls International Inc., all of whom the company believes bear some responsibility for the incident.