"There were reports of several casualties...."

The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has posted numerous incidents this year involving aluminium scrap. This is a recent story involving scrap receiving and inspection. Here is the story:




Three people have suffered minor injuries in a gas cylinder explosion at a scrap metal recycling plant in the United Kingdom. Two patients were taken to a nearby hospital while the third was treated at the scene, the ambulance service said.

The happened at a recycling company during the week of September 1, 2013. It is believed the incident was sparked when a digger crushed a gas cylinder, propelling part of it about 150 yards through the window of a room with three people inside.

The ambulance service said those inside had a lucky escape.

A spokesperson said the piece of gas cylinder flew past several other buildings before smashing into the room. It narrowly missed a young worker who was sitting close to the window, before hitting the ceiling and stopping on a desk, the ambulance service added.

Police also attended the incident. 

"There were reports of several casualties but all were described as walking wounded at that stage," a police officer commented.

The Health & Safety Executive is leading the investigation.

The Aluminum Association (USA) has developed the industries best practices regarding scrap receiving and inspection. Clicking on the photo below will direct you to the this document.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has a document titled "Guidance for the Identification Scrapyards and Control of Safety and Health Hazards in Metal Scrap Recycling". The  document can be downloaded (.pdf format) here.

Companies should make their suppliers aware of what they expect (demand) in terms of scrap quality. No other company has spent more time and effort in educating their suppliers as has Logan Aluminum in the United States. Congratulations to Logan Aluminum on setting up, maintaining, and updating a scrap receiving and inspection system which is the envy of our industry. Logan has go so far as to set up a webpage on educating their suppliers.  Logan Raw Materials website can be viewed here.

Does your company buy scrap? If so, has your company rejected a load of scrap for whatever reason? 

Please Comment.