Russell Helquist and Matthew Johnston were electrocuted to death at the Intrepid Potash Mine in Moab, Utah when industrial equipment the men were operating came in contact with a power line

Russell Helquist, center, died at the Interpid Potash Mine

The Grand County Sheriff's Office, along with San Juan County Sheriff's Office, Grand County EMS, and Moab Valley Fire Department are responding to an incident down Highway 279 near the Intrepid Potash plant. Please avoid the area. We will provide an update when possible.

2:00 PM Update: The lead agency for the investigation into the explosion near the Intrepid Potash plant is going to be San Juan County. Grand County Sheriff's Office will remain on scene and provide assistance as long as necessary. All media and information requests need to contact San Juan County Sheriff's Office.

UPDATE FROM SAN JUAN SHERIFF'S OFFICE:
San Juan County Sheriffs Office
25 mins ·
Media Release 11/10/18
Industrial Accident
Potash Mine- South of Moab in Northern San Juan County

Today just after 12 O'clock noon, at the Potash Mine, three men were electrocuted when the industrial equipment they were operating touched a power line. Russell Helquist and Matthew Johnston died at the scene while the 3rd victim, Arthur Secrest, was found unconscious but breathing. He was flown to a medical facility in Salt Lake. All men were living in the Moab area. The incident is still under investigation. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of these good men.

Update: 2 workers electrocuted, third critically injured in Moab industrial accident


November 10, 2018




SAN JUAN County, Utah, (Gephardt Daily) — 

Two men were killed and a third critically injured in an industrial accident at the Intrepid Potash Mine in Moab early Saturday afternoon.

According to a statement by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened when industrial equipment the men were operating came in contact with a power line.


“Russell Helquist and Matthew Johnston died at the scene while the 3rd victim, Arthur Secrest, was found unconscious but breathing,” the sheriff’s office statement said. “He was flown to a medical facility in Salt Lake. All men were living in the Moab area. The incident is still under investigation. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of these good men.”

Crews from multiple agencies responded to what was first reported as an explosion at about 12:06 p.m. near the Intrepid Potash Plant.

The Grand County Sheriff Office tweeted on Saturday afternoon that they were responding to the scene, as were the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Grand County EMS and the Moab Fire Department.

Intrepid Potash, a fertilizer plant, is located on Highway 279, west of the Colorado River.

People in the area are asked to steer clear of the location while emergency crews are on scene.


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Intrepid is a self-proclaimed leader in the utilization of solar evaporation production, one of the lowest-cost, environmentally friendly production methods for potash. With three solar solution facilities in Moab and Wendover, Utah and Carlsbad, New Mexico, Intrepid’s southwestern location affords certain logistical advantages given the moderate climate and easy access to trucking and rail.

Intrepid operates three solar evaporation mines in Wendover and Moab, Utah and Carlsbad, New Mexico. Solar evaporation ponds provide one of the safest, lowest cost, environmentally friendly production methods for potash and salt. Our southwestern locations have the advantages of proximity to western markets and an arid climate, ensuring minimal weather-related delivery days by truck or rail.

Intrepid also operates an underground mine in Carlsbad, New Mexico for the extraction of langbeinite, the naturally-occurring mineral we sell as Intrepid Trio. Langbeinite, K2Mg2(SO4)3, is a unique geological material found only in a few places in the world. Highly prized as an all-natural fertilizer with international demand, Intrepid’s mine in Carlsbad sits on one of the world’s largest known reserves of langbeinite.

USEPA and Indiana DEM Cite Whiting Metals Recycling Facility for Lead Air Pollution in Hammond, in Northwest Indiana

EPA and IDEM Cite Whiting Metals for Lead Air Pollution in Northwest Indiana
11/09/2018
Contact Information:
Joshua Singer (singer.joshua@epa.gov)
312-353-5069
Ryan Clem (media@idem.IN.gov)
(317) 232-8596
 
CHICAGO, IL November 9, 2018—


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) have issued notices of violation against Whiting Metals, LLC, for excessive lead emissions from the company’s facility in northwest Indiana.

EPA and IDEM determined that lead concentrations exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) near the Whiting Metals recycling facility at 2230 Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond, IN. The NAAQS for lead and its compounds are 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), averaged over a 3-month period. Based on the most recent data collected at IDEM’s monitor, the three-month average lead concentration at the monitor reached 0.31 μg/m3 for the period of August through October 2018.

IDEM installed a lead ambient air monitor adjacent to the Whiting facility and began sampling in August 2018. In response to elevated lead concentrations detected by the air monitor, EPA and IDEM inspected the facility in September. EPA in coordination with IDEM then installed a meteorological tower and an additional air monitor that collects hourly lead concentrations. EPA and IDEM determined that the Whiting Metals facility is the primary contributor of the lead emissions at that location, as the highest lead concentrations have been detected during the facility’s operating hours and coming from the direction of the facility. The notices of violation provide Whiting Metals with an opportunity to confer with, respectively, EPA and IDEM regarding these allegations as the agencies evaluate potential enforcement options under the Clean Air Act and state authorities.

Lead can adversely affect the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to lead, which may contribute to behavioral problems and learning deficits.

For more information from EPA: https://www.epa.gov/in/whiting-metals

For more information from IDEM: https://www.in.gov/idem/airquality/2346.htm

EF-1 TORNADO TO BLAME: Amazon contractors Andrew Lindsay, 54, and Israel Espana Argote, 37, died after a 50-foot wall collapsed at the Amazon Fulfillment Center amid heavy rain and thunderstorms in Baltimore, MD

BALTIMORE, MD --

Two people were killed when part of an Amazon distribution warehouse collapsed amid severe weather, a spokeswoman for the retail giant said Saturday.

The men worked for an outside company and not Amazon, spokeswoman Rachael Lighty said. No one else was injured when severe storms with strong winds tore through Maryland Friday evening, she said.

"First responders remain onsite assessing the damage. The safety of our employees and contractors is our top priority and at this time the building remains closed," Lighty said in an email.

News reports cite Baltimore fire officials as saying one man was found under debris Friday night and later pronounced dead, while a second man's body was recovered under rubble early Saturday. Officials say a 50-foot wall at the warehouse collapsed. Photos from the scene appear to show the collapsed wall was about two stories tall.

Baltimore fire officials didn't respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press.

The National Weather Service had earlier warned of thunderstorms in the area, with some producing gusty winds and heavy rain.



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Two men were killed when part of an Amazon distribution warehouse in Baltimore collapsed and weather officials have confirmed a tornado struck the area.

A 50-foot wall collapsed late Friday at the Amazon Fulfillment Center amid heavy rain and thunderstorms, Baltimore Fire Chief Roman Clark told WBAL. Clark said one man was found under the debris and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The second victim was later found beneath the rubble.

Andrew Lindsay, 54, was one of the victims. The Baltimore Sun reported that he was an employee of a real estate consulting firm.

Israel Espana Argote, 37, was also killed. Argote owned a trucking company that contracted with Amazon, the Sun reported.

The National Weather Service said Saturday an EF-1 tornado was to blame for the damage. The tornado also uprooted several large trees and tore the roof off of an apartment complex in Baltimore County.

Images taken from outside the Amazon facility showed a badly damaged truck, a knocked-over light pole and a large swath of the building exposed through a missing wall.

Amazon spokeswoman Rachael Lighty told the Associated Press that the two people killed weren't employees of the online retail giant but worked for an outside company.

"First responders remain onsite assessing the damage. The safety of our employees and contractors is our top priority and at this time the building remains closed," Lighty said in an email.

She said no one else was injured.

Jill Klein, 44, of Cedarville, MI died at the Carmeuse Lime and Stone quarry after two vehicles collided in the dig pit

 Jill Klein, 44, of Cedarville, MI died at the Carmeuse Lime and Stone quarry after two vehicles collided in the dig pit

MARQUETTE, MI —



An investigation is underway after a woman passed away in workplace accident that occurred at Carmeuse Lime and Stone in Cedarville, according to the Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post.

Upon the troopers’ arrival at the facility around 1:50 a.m. Saturday, they found two Carmeuse vehicles had been involved in an incident in the pit, which resulted in the death of Jill Klein, 44, of Cedarville, a press release about the incident states.

Michigan State Police Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department and Clark Township Fire/EMS, according to police.
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JILL KLEIN


Jill was born on February 20, 1974 and passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2018.

Jill was a resident of Cedarville, Michigan at the time of passing.

Jill graduated from Atlanta High School in 1992 and served her country in the United States Army National Guard after graduation.

There will be a visitation service for Jill on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Green Funeral Home; Atlanta. A short prayer service will be held at 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Atlanta Schools.


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About Carmeuse

With over 150 years in business, Carmeuse Lime & Stone, is a leading producer of high calcium and dolomitic lime, chemical grade limestone and crushed limestone aggregate products that are a vital part of important industries in steel manufacturing, energy, environmental services, and construction.

Carmeuse products make steel stronger, air cleaner, roadways last longer, water more pure and waste reusable—they are a vital ingredient in the materials that build and renew infrastructure around the world.

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in North America, Carmeuse operates 28 production facilities, staffed by up to 2000 employees who are driven by a passion for success, quality, efficiency and respect for the environment.

As a family owned business located in Louvain la Neuve, Belgium, Carmeuse is led and guided by its strong values and principles that have been handed down from generation to generation and the company maintains an international presence than spans Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, Africa, Middle-East and Asia, as well as it presence here in North and South America.

Speed, distracted, impaired and drowsy driving are key factors in the almost 40,000 highway fatalities and 2.5 million injuries

Highway Deaths Account for 95 Percent of all Transportation Fatalities in 2017
11/1/2018




— Highway crashes claimed the lives of 37,133 people in 2017, accounting for 95 percent of the 38,958 who died in transportation related accidents that year, according to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board.



The data indicate 712 fewer people died in transportation accidents in 2017, compared to the 39,670 who died in 2016. Aviation, marine and highway deaths decreased while rail and pipeline fatalities increased. Rail experienced the largest increase with 58 more deaths in 2017 than the 703 fatalities in 2016.



While 673 fewer people died in highway crashes in 2017 compared to 2016, highway fatalities continued to represent 95 percent of all transportation fatalities.







“Highway crashes are completely preventable,” said NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt. “Implementation of the 369 open NTSB highway safety recommendations, including the 22 recommendations related to speeding, have the potential to prevent crashes, save lives, and significantly reduce the carnage on our nation’s roads.”



National transportation fatality statistics for calendar year 2017 also revealed:


Aviation deaths decreased from 412 in 2016 to 350 in 2017. While general aviation showed the largest decrease with 56 fewer deaths, general aviation again accounted for 94 percent of all aviation fatalities.


Recreational boating accidents killed 43 fewer people in 2017 than in 2016, but 27 mariners died in commercial fishing in 2017, compared to 17 in 2016. Overall, there were 39 fewer deaths in marine transportation compared to the 733 fatalities in 2016.


Highway fatalities decreased from 37,806 in 2016 to 37,133 in 2017, and crashes involving passenger cars, light trucks and vans, pedestrians, motorcycles, pedalcycles, and buses resulted in fewer deaths, but deaths associated with crashes involving medium and heavy trucks increased to 841 in 2017 compared to 725 in 2016.


Four more people died in pipeline accidents in 2017 compared to the 16 who died in 2016.



Preliminary aviation accident statistics also released Thursday show a slight decrease in the number of US civil aviation accidents, with 1,316 in 2017 compared to 1,335 in 2016. There were 10 fewer fatal general aviation accidents in 2017 than in 2016, and the fatal accident rate remained below one fatal accident per 100,000 flight hours for a second consecutive year.



The approaching Thanksgiving holiday weekend is typically the busiest travel weekend of the year in the United States and marks the start of the holiday travel season. The NTSB reminds travelers that speed, distracted, impaired and drowsy driving are key factors in highway fatalities.



When traveling by bus, train or plane, stay buckled up (just as if you were in your car), know where your nearest safety exit is and how to use it, and if directed to evacuate, leave your carry-ons behind!



The preliminary aviation accident statistics are tracked and compiled by the NTSB. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides marine statistics, and the U.S. Department of Transportation provides statistics for all other modes. A link to the data tables for transportation fatalities for all modes may be found online at https://go.usa.gov/xPySY.