"Time momentary stops" is commonly told by survivors after an explosion.
But what do you do next after an explosion? The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has some tips:
- Remain calm
- Seek cover if debris is falling around you.
- Cover your mouth and nose with any fabric that can find. Dust can be very intense after an explosion.
- Once the debris stops falling rapidly, exit the building as quickly as possible.
- Don't use elevators or escalators, use stairs to exit if needed.
- Once outside, move as far away as possible from the building. If your firm has an evacuation assembly area please go to it (if you can safely).
Here is a recent story of an explosion.
Firefighters responded to an explosion at an explosion at a plant in the Southeast United States during the week of July 21, 2013. According to local County Emergency Management officials, residents near the aluminium composite factory started calling 911 just before 11 p.m. claiming they heard and felt an explosion.
Once firefighters arrived at the plant, they found an area of the building on fire as well as a partial roof collapse.
Once firefighters arrived at the plant, they found an area of the building on fire as well as a partial roof collapse.
About two dozen workers were inside the plant at the the time of the explosion. Officials said one person was receiving medical attention but that those injuries were minor.
Fire responders from five local companies all responded and firefighters had the situation under control just before midnight according to emergency management officials.
The local county fire marshal will be investigating the cause of the explosion.
The stories in the media covering this incident do not go into detail on what occurred. Some news articles state a "machine exploded". Nevertheless, even with little to no information one can learn from this incident. This incident can be used to reinforce the importance of training your workers on what to do after an explosion.
The APSB hopes the injured worker recovers fully.
Please comment.
3 comments:
During the 1970's there was a fire in the basement of the Reduction plant in an aluminium smelter, the fire brigade were called and when they arrived they were going to put the fire out using water whilst the plant was still operating. As luck would have it they were stopped and educated as to the possible consequence's of there action. The message here is to make sure that the emergency services are full aware of your operation!
During the 1970's there was a fire in the basement of the Reduction plant in an aluminium smelter, the fire brigade were called and when they arrived they were going to put the fire out using water whilst the plant was still operating. As luck would have it they were stopped and educated as to the possible consequence's of there action. The message here is to make sure that the emergency services are full aware of your operation!
Thank you Richard, I agree it very important that all plants contact their local fire departments and invite them for a tour and make sure they are aware of the proper procedures for fighting fires in our facilities. Unfortunately, too many times that is not done, and a fireman will be needlessly injured or killed. I simply can not get out of my mind the incident of a dross fire in a dumpster in the USA. A fireman sprayed water onto it. The resulting explosion destroyed the dumpster killing the fireman. That is why the APSB included this post. http://aluminiumplantsafety.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-guidelines-for-firefighting.html
Thank you again for your comments!
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