A devastating workplace incident claimed the life of a Cameron, West Virginia man on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the Westlake Chemical Plant located in Proctor. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Steven E. Chambers was performing maintenance on a high-pressure water line when the line exploded, causing a fatal fall.
Chambers had reportedly been standing on a ladder 10 to 20 feet off the ground when the explosion occurred around 6:00 p.m. A witness reported that the blast knocked him from the ladder, leading to injuries that ultimately proved fatal. Chambers was transported to WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors
Initial reports indicate that the explosion was the result of a high-pressure failure in the plant’s waterline system. While the specific cause remains under investigation, such failures often raise serious questions about whether proper lockout/tagout procedures, maintenance protocols, or inspection routines were followed.
Industrial sites like chemical plants rely on strict adherence to safety measures, especially when working with pressurized systems. If a valve, coupling, or containment unit failed unexpectedly, it could point to equipment malfunction, inadequate maintenance, or lax safety oversight — all of which may involve third-party contractors, manufacturers, or plant management.
As Chambers was performing maintenance duties at the time, investigators will likely focus on:
- Whether the system was properly depressurized before work began
- The adequacy of plant safety protocols
- Past incidents or known issues with the waterline system
- Training and hazard communication measures in place for contractors
Risks and Safety Considerations
Work involving pressurized pipelines presents significant hazards. In the chemical and energy sectors, even minor errors in system isolation or pressure regulation can result in catastrophic injuries. When workers operate on elevated platforms or ladders, the force of an explosion can also cause secondary trauma, including serious falls.
This incident reinforces critical safety lessons:
- Lockout/tagout procedures must always be followed and enforced
- Contractor oversight is essential on multi-employer worksites
- High-pressure systems require routine inspection, maintenance, and fail-safe redundancies
- Employers and site operators must ensure the environment is safe before authorizing work at height or on energized systems
Failure to enforce these standards may expose both plant operators and third-party contractors to liability for preventable tragedies.
Legal Rights and Options
When a fatal incident occurs at an industrial facility, surviving family members may have the right to pursue legal action against negligent third parties. These cases often involve:
- Third-party worksite injury claims against plant owners or operators
- Wrongful death lawsuits for failing to ensure a safe working environment
- Product liability claims if defective equipment or components contributed to the explosion
- Negligence claims for violations of OSHA regulations or industry safety standards
An experienced industrial accident lawyer can investigate the root causes of a workplace explosion, identify all liable parties, and ensure critical evidence is preserved. In multi-employer environments like chemical plants, third-party liability is often central to securing justice for families.
Speak With an Industrial Accident Lawyer
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving serious injury and loss of life. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident and are considering your legal options, call 713-804-9306 today for a free consultation.