Chemical explosion injures man at recycling facility

By Erin Alberty

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Apr 04 2012 05:34 pm • Last Updated Apr 04 2012 05:34 pm

A worker at a Salt Lake City metal recycling facility was injured in an explosion Wednesday afternoon.

The man was using a plasma torch to cut into a 55-gallon metal drum at Natural Ventures, 2904 W. 500 South. The drum contained residue of Naphtha, a flammable substance used in lighter fluid and fuel for camp stoves, according to a press statement by the Salt Lake City Fire Department.

At about 3 p.m., the drum exploded, seriously injuring the man’s head, face and neck. He was not wearing a helmet or eye protection, firefighters wrote.

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