2 injured in malfunction at PPG plant in Springdale, loud boom shakes neighborhood

Two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries after a machine malfunctioned at the PPG facility in Springdale on Thursday afternoon, sending a booming sound through the nearby neighborhood strong enough to shake homes.

“There was a piece of equipment that malfunctioned at approximately 12:35,” said Paul Holcomb, site manager.

“It was a piece of equipment that malfunctioned at the start of the process.”

The site produces paints and coatings, he said.

The injured employees were in proximity of the equipment when it malfunctioned, Holcomb said. He detailed the injuries as “minor in nature” and said they were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Holcomb said there was minimal site damage and that the safety systems functioned as designed.

“We’re doing the investigation as we speak,” Holcomb said.

“We’re still evaluating what exactly happened.”

No chemicals were released.

“The situation’s stable,” said Bruno Moretti, coordinator for the Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management Agency. “There’s no danger.”

The incident caused the facility to be evacuated for a short time. Employees were allowed to reenter the building about 2 p.m.

“I heard a loud boom,” said Mike Martino of Shaler, who was cleaning a house on nearby Standard Avenue.

“I hope they’re all right,” he said. “It was pretty wild.”

Toni Robbins, a Springdale councilwoman, lives on Lincoln Avenue about two blocks away and drove to the scene to see what happened.

“I heard a loud boom,” she said. “My whole house shook.”

Alexis Mangol, who has lived on Standard Avenue for a couple of years, said the plant usually is quiet, but Thursday’s incident shook her house.

“Me and my kids were watching a movie, and the next thing we hear is a big boom. All of my pictures (on her walls) shook.

“I came out here and saw people leaving (the PPG facility).”