Date: February 20, 2023
Location: Bedford, Ohio (USA)
Address: 22500 Alexander Road, 44146
Type: Potential Dust Explosion
Fuel: Metal Dust
Industry: Copper Alloy Manufacturer (Metal Working)
Equipment: Unknown
Company: I. Schumann & Company
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Dead, 13 Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, I. Schumann & Company is a copper alloy manufacturing company in Bedford, Ohio. Founded in 1917, the company recycles and trades a wide variety of scrap and produces brass and bronze alloys in ingot and pellet forms.
Incident Description:
On February 22, 2023, Fox News reported an explosion and fire at a metal alloy factory in Cleveland, Ohio.
According to Fox 8, witnesses reported hearing a big “boom” shortly after 2:15 p.m. Emergency crews were called to the company shortly before 3:00 p.m. One fire captain later said he saw burn victims on the scene and that at least one person had to be pulled from the rubble before being taken to the hospital.
According to videos posted on social media, vehicles were damaged by debris from the fire, and smoke billowed from the resulting fire. The bulk of the fire was out by 5:00 p.m.
One maintenance worker was killed in the explosion, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was employed by the company for nearly 30 years. The Oakwood Village Fire Department confirmed that 13 people were taken to the hospital and that one of them was in critical condition. Another person was reportedly injured but not taken to the hospital.
The cause of the explosion and fire has not been determined, but officials said the source was likely in the building’s foundry. There are kettles there for storing molten metals. The state Fire Marshal’s Office said the incident did not appear to be the result of a criminal act.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up four OSHA inspections for I. Schumann & Company but they were not flagged for combustible dust.
