Derrick Martinez had been with Blick’s Phosphate Conversion for a year and a half. Blick’s, which is based in Kansas, subcontracts with Idaho’s J. R. Simplot Company in Pocatello to help make a phosphate-based fertilizer. While Martinez was working in his company’s mobile production trailer at the Simplot site last weekend, something went wrong.
According to Blick's company spokesman Kenny Kalb, Martinez was somehow exposed to ammonia and found unconscious. He was taken to a hospital in Salt Lake City, but died Wednesday. Ammonia can cause burning of the respiratory tract.
Kalb says anhydrous ammonia – the highly explosive compound found at last month’s West, Texas fertilizer plant – could have played a role.
The last fatality that occurred at the Pocatello Simplot plant was in 2007. During that incident, a worker was burned to death after being exposed to molten sulfur.
Earlier this month BSPR reported that anhydrous ammonia was at the Pocatello plant in 2011. Inspectors said anhydrous was handled and labeled incorrectly at that time. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report noted problems with the emergency shower area for workers exposed to anhydrous. One violation resulted in a $20,000 fine. An OSHA spokesperson said the company has fixed the problems cited in that report.
Martinez was from Garden City, Kansas. He left behind a two month old baby boy, his girlfriend, siblings and parents. Kalb says the company employs 15 people including Martinez. He says they are reeling from the loss. OSHA is investigating the incident.
Copyright 2013 Boise State Public Radio
