Two maintenance workers suffered severe burns Monday morning when steam discharged while they worked on a condensate pump at Griswold Products in Moosup, according to a Plainfield Police Department release supplied to Eastern CT News.
Police were notified about a reported boiler explosion at approximately 9:30 a.m. October 26 at the facility, 1 River Street. Responders determined that an accidental steam discharge had filled the immediate work area while the employees serviced the pump, the department said.
Police identified one worker as Zachery Beauchene, 26, of Brooklyn. He was flown by Life Star to Rhode Island Hospital’s burn center in Providence and was receiving treatment in the trauma intensive care unit for severe burns, according to the release.
Richard Pepin, 64, of Danielson, was taken by ambulance to Backus Hospital in Norwich for burns. Police said he was treated and discharged.
Police found no apparent criminal activity and contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Connecticut’s Office of the State Building Inspector. Representatives of both agencies responded and will take responsibility for the investigation, the department said.
The release does not establish what caused the accidental discharge. The workers’ conditions are reported as stated in the release; no later medical update has been verified.