Victim Had Concerns About Plant Safety

The wife of a welder who was killed in an explosion at a chemical plant said her husband had concerns about safety at the plant.

Critically burned in the explosion, 46-year-old Paul H. Stewart died Monday at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Stewart suffered third-degree chemical burns on his face and arms, and in his eyes, nose and throat.

Katherine Stewart said her husband was concerned about safety issues at Rainbow Farm Products, and had begun to check into labor safety laws before the explosion occurred.

She said her family is considering hiring a lawyer to look into the labor safety laws.

Don Dean, president of Rainbow Farm Products, said Tuesday he was not aware that Stewart had had any safety concerns.

Rainbow Farm Products has requested through its attorney, Bill Parsons of Burley, a delay of a hearing to discuss the company’s permit to continue operating in Cassia County.