Man killed in 'tragic accident' in Dayton welding shop

A man was killed Wednesday morning in an explosion at a welding shop in Dayton.

Authorities were notified of the incident about 9 a.m. at Crystal Welding and "are treating it as a tragic accident," said City Administrator Bob Derus.

When officers arrived at the scene, the man was already dead, according to the Dayton Police Department. It said the victim was welding on a pontoon float when an explosion occurred. No other employees were injured in the incident.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office will release the 37-year-old victim's identity.

Personnel in Minnesota with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate the death, said agency spokesman James Honerman.

Crystal Welding is located on 113th Avenue N., off Hwy. 81 and east of Interstate 94. It has been operating for more than 40 years, specializing in the sale of custom trailers and trailer parts, repairs and service, as well as metal fabrication.

OSHA has found three violations in recent years at Crystal Welding. The company was fined in 2013 for failing to monitor indoor carbon monoxide emissions from two forklifts powered by liquid propane.

In 2009, Crystal Welding was fined for improper guarding on a metal press and for failing to have a protective hood over a cutting blade on a hand-fed ripsaw.

Paul Walsh