Two Gerdau Special Steel North America employees were injured at the company's Jackson, Mich., steelmaking facility Friday, 27 July when an explosion followed a breakout at one of the electric furnaces.

The workers suffered injuries and were taken to a local hospital. One employee was treated and released the morning of Saturday, 21 July. The other is receiving treatment and recovering at the University of Michigan Hospital, a company spokesman said.

"Operations were temporarily suspented, but the furnace was repaired and the mill resumed operations (early) Monday (30 July)," he said, adding that the disruption won't affect customer deliveries.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way. The mill is coordinating with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"Gerdau is committed to the health and safety of all its workers and will take all necesary measures to ensure that its Jackson facility continues to present a safe work environment for its employees and contractors," the spokesman said.

The company has been cited for safety violations three times since December 2008, and most recently was inspected by OSHA on 14 May, according to data on the agency's website.

The president of the United Steelworkers union local that represents Gerdau workers couldn't be reached for comment on 30 July.