On August 2, 2014 an explosion occurred in a Chinese plant that
polished aluminium wheels. The explosion resulted from aluminium fines/dust
accumulation throughout the factory. That explosion resulted in a catastrophe
with over 146 workers being killed and injuring 114 others. The Aluminium Plant
Safety Blog have seen reports where over 200 workers killed in this incident. Regardless, this
incident shocked China and the rest of the world. Afterwards the ceo, plant
manager and the EHS manager were all arrested and charged with a variety of
crimes. Since that day we have wondered what would happen to those three
individuals awaiting trial. Here is an updated story:
COURTS in east
China's Jiangsu Province on Wednesday sentenced 14 people to prison terms for
various offenses related to an explosion at a factory in 2014 that left 146
dead.
Sentences
ranged from three to seven and half years for the crimes of causing a major
labor safety accident or dereliction of duty, said a publicity official of
Suzhou City.
The owner and top managers of Kunshan Zhongrong Metal Products Co. Ltd., local firefighting officers and supervisors, and officials in charge of work safety supervision and environmental protection in Kunshan City were among those jailed.
The 14 stood
trial at five different courts in Suzhou, including Kunshan City People's Court
and Zhangjiagang City People's Court, which announced the verdicts on Wednesday.
Kunshan is
under the administrative jurisdiction of Suzhou City.
The blast
happened on Aug. 2, 2014 at a wheel hub polishing workshop, killing 146 and
injuring another 114. Direct economic loss reached 350 million yuan (53.2
million U.S. dollars), according to the official.
Investigators
found the explosion followed the ignition of metal dust in the workshop.
The Aluminium Plant
Safety Blog posted a story about this incident. Our shock paled in comparison to
the loss of so many due to negligence of a few. We pray that this incident
never repeats itself.
We caution the
readers not to think “well this is China”, or “we are good”. Those thoughts are
disservice to the many who died that day. Aluminium dust/fine fires and
explosions happen throughout the world on a regular basis to varying degrees. When
was the last time that your plant had an inspection for the accumulation of
dust/fines? If you cannot remember the last time, it has been too long.
This incident was
written about in the Aluminium Times magazine.
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