A Lehi police investigation revealed the lab employee had found the explosive at his home and it was likely left there by previous residents. The man brought the blasting cap to work, but he did not know what it was, police said.
"He was grinding it, trying to make some sort of a tool that would help him in the work he does," said Sgt. Sean Ferrell with Lehi police.
The explosion happened just before Noon at Alpine Dental Lab near 1200 North and 500 West. The 75-year-old employee was taken to Intermountain Medical Center's burn center, and another woman inside was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Some equipment was broken in the blast, but there were no other people in the room at the time, and the explosion did not harm the other 20 to 30 employees elsewhere in the building.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also is investigating, but will not finish its report for another one to two months.
- Steve Gehrke
