The uncontrolled
release of molten metal is a hazard many workplaces do not prepare for. Workplaces
should practice with their personnel on what to do if a spill occurs. Here is
a recent incident highlighting the hazards of a molten metal link.
Two employees were injured
at the (company name omitted) foundry due to a leak in a blast furnace one day during the last week of July. Liquid
aluminum had escaped from the leak. It is unclear how the accident could have
occurred.
On Wednesday evening,
liquid aluminum at a temperature of 800 degrees escaped from a leak in the
blast furnace of the foundry at the (aluminium) plant in town name omitted. Two
employees were injured, one of them seriously. They suffered smoke inhalation
and were treated in hospital. One of them has now been able to leave the clinic
again. The other is said to be on the mend.
It is still unclear how
the accident could have occurred. The police are now investigating this.
Contrary to what the police initially said, the two injured employees did not
try to stop the leak. That's not possible, a (company) spokesman told (news
media). The incident triggered a major alarm among rescue workers.
More than 10,000 euros in
damage
Production in the foundry
was temporarily stopped, a company spokesman said. According to initial police
estimates, the damage is more than 10,000 euros. There was no significant loss
of production.
We pray that the
two individual workers recover fully from their injuries. As we recently told a
group of workers that fires in our industry tend to generate a lot of smoke
very quickly. It is imperative that any combustibles (e.g., wooden pallets,
cardboard boxes, etc.) not be stored on the ground. Because, molten metal will ignite
any combustible that it comes into contact with.
Lastly, if your
workplace processes molten metal it is imperative that your workers are
trained, practiced and drilled in how to respond to a molten metal spill.
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