OSHA Cites US Steel and MPW for Safety Violations After Explosion

DOL News Releases

Filed February 18th, 2026

Detected February 19th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has cited United States Steel Corp. and MPW Industrial Services Inc. following an investigation into an August 2025 explosion that killed two workers and injured 12. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $179,687 for serious safety violations related to explosion and hazardous energy control hazards.

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What changed

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations and proposed penalties totaling $179,687 to United States Steel Corp. ($118,214) and MPW Industrial Services Inc. ($61,473) following an investigation into an explosion at the Clairton Coke Works plant in August 2025. The investigation found that both companies exposed workers to explosion, struck-by, and high-pressure injection hazards. Specifically, US Steel failed to implement required safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas, while MPW failed to provide a relief valve for a high-pressure water system and coordinate energy control practices.

Both employers have 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Failure to comply or contest within the specified timeframe could lead to adjusted penalties. Companies should review their safety management systems, energy control procedures, and hazardous work protocols to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, particularly concerning flammable gases and high-pressure systems.

What to do next

Review safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas.
Ensure provision of relief valves for high-pressure water systems.
Coordinate energy control practices for hazardous work.

Penalties

United States Steel Corp. proposed penalties of $118,214 for seven serious and one other-than-serious violation. MPW Industrial Services Inc. proposed penalties of $61,473 for four serious and two other-than-serious violations. Penalties may be adjusted.

Source document (simplified)

News Release

US Department of Labor cites 2 Pennsylvania employers with serious safety violations following 2025 Clairton Coke Works explosion

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited two Pennsylvania employers after a federal investigation into an August 2025 explosion at a United States Steel Corp. worksite that injured 12 and claimed the lives of two employees.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded United States Steel Corp. and MPW Industrial Services Inc. exposed workers at the Clairton Coke Works plant to unsafe working conditions including explosion, struck-by, and high-pressure injection hazards.

Federal safety inspectors determined that United States Steel Corp. failed to use required safety management and energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas. OSHA also concluded that cleaning services contractor MPW Industrial Services failed to provide a relief valve for a high-pressure water system and did not coordinate energy control practices for hazardous work involving flammable gas.

OSHA cited United States Steel Corp. with seven serious and one other-than-serious violations and proposed $118,214 in penalties. The agency cited MPW Industrial Services Inc. with four serious and two other-than-serious violations and proposed $61,473 in penalties.

Both employers have 15 business days from receipt of their citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may be adjusted throughout the course of the case. Please check the OSHA establishment search page periodically for any changes in the inspection or penalty status.

Learn more about OSHA, including controlling hazardous energy, the agency’s general duty clause, permit-required confined spaces, and process safety management.

Employers may contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help on complying with OSHA standards.

Agency Occupational Safety & Health Administration Date February 18, 2026 Release Number 26-200-PHI Media Contact: Eric R. Lucero Phone Number 678-237-0630 Email lucero.eric.r@dol.gov Media Contact: Erika Ruthman Phone Number 678-237-0630 Email ruthman.erika.b@dol.gov Media Contact: Juan Rodriguez Phone Number 972-850-4709 Email rodriguez.juan@dol.gov Share This
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