Due to a misunderstanding on our part, we erroneously reported there had been no injuries Thursday morning when a pressurized steel oxygen bottle ruptured and exploded in the baler at the Chadron transfer station of SWANN, the Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska.
Instead, SWANN Executive Director Jake Stewart says one of the 5 employees in the baler building at the time was taken to Chadron Community Hospital with injuries as a result of the blast. Their condition continues to be monitored but is not life-threatening.
Stewart thanks his Transfer Station Crew and Operations Director for their quick reactions in responding to the incident to prevent any further injuries or damage.
Stewart says the oxygen bottle had been improperly disposed of in a dumpster. The contents of the dumpster were ultimately placed in the baler where, as part of the baling process, the bottle was exposed to additional pressure which caused the explosion.
Stewart says the blast sent part of the oxygen bottle through the roof of the steel building; it was found about 100 yards away.
He also says the party responsible for improperly placing the pressurized oxygen bottle in the dumpster has been identified and contacted.
Stewart and SWANN remind all residents that any waste which may contain hazardous materials may not be placed in dumpsters, and that all residents must follow safety protocols in disposing of waste.
Dumpsters are to be used for normal trash and garbage, but Stewart says SWANN workers too often find items such as furniture, appliances, tires, or even automotive parts that can damage collection trucks and the baler
He reminds anyone needing to dispose of such items or anything else not considered normal trash or garbage should bring them to the transfer station in Chadron or their community dump site.
Stewart asks anyone with questions on proper disposal in either the brown or green dumpsters to please contact the SWANN office at (308) 432-4245