146 dead + 111 injured = 7 year prison sentence

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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