"There Was a Deafening Sound and We Were Thrown...."

At the end of October there was an explosion in India at an aluminium extrusion plant. There have been conflicting reports on whether a furnace exploded or if some gas cylinders exploded. Nevertheless, there is no disagreement that three workers were killed in the explosion. What further complicates the story is the reports that the killed workers were outside the factory, awaiting for a supervisor to come open the door at the beginning of the shift when the explosion occurred. Here is the story:

Three workers were killed and two severely injured in an explosion at an industrial in Western India.

The five laborers were waiting for the supervisor to open the unit at 8 am.

The police said the factory makes aluminium and boilers were kept running for three nights a week. This, they said, caused the explosion. "it appears pressure in the boilers increased, causing the explosion" police officer said.

Sources, however, said there was a strong LPG odor and the blast could have occurred due to use of illegal cylinders.

Police said the explosion blew the laborers away. Two workers were killed at the site, while one died during treatment. One injured worker's legs were fractured, while another injured worker suffered severe eye injuries. 

The worker who injured eyes commented "It was a deafening explosion. Within seconds, everything was blank before me". The factory did not have fire-fighting equipment.

Local police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter, and causing grievous hurt against the factory owner and the factory manager.

"No arrests have been made yet," said a senior police officer "We are investigating all possible angles."

Safe handling, use, storage, etc. of gas cylinders is important. Enforcement of proper storage of gas cylinders is undertaken by governmental safety organizations globally. 

OSHA's Compressed Gas and Equipment information can be located here: 

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