In an ideal world companies would install proper safety mechanisms
or engineering controls to mitigate hazards. But, we do not live in an ideal
world. Some companies do not have engineering controls or they forgo the
industry’s best practices. Why? There are a myriad of reasons why companies do
not install mechanisms or engineering controls. Most common reason is either a
lack of awareness or knowledge. This is an honest mistake that gets remedied
when companies are made aware of their shortcomings. Unfortunately, many times a
company is made aware of their shortcomings only after an incident occurs. There
is one other reason why companies do not install engineering controls or follow
best practices is because the company does not want to spend the funds. It is
this reason that disappoints us. Because in many instances workers’ injuries
and deaths could have been easily prevented if the company chose to. It is
these companies that talking about the importance of safety is fruitless. The
only way to reach these companies is to talk about the financial cost of
production shutdowns.
Here is an incident involving a molten metal explosion:
According
to the local municipal government, at 0:00 (one day during the week of April 1,
2018), an explosion accident occurred at an aluminium company in Asia. After
the accident, emergency plans were quickly initiated at the surrounding cities,
and the main leaders and related departments rushed to the scene to dispose of
them. At present, 3 people were killed by the explosion and 3 were hospitalized
with minor injuries.
"At
the time, when I was blown up, I was hit on the ground and there was a brief
tinnitus. I just crawled out." A worker who escaped from the scene of the
accident told the reporter at the time of the incident that “the factory area
was black and white”.
At the
same time, the surrounding villages of the company have been affected by
explosions. Glass, windows, and gates of some residents’ homes have been
damaged. At present, the locality is in the process of statistics on damage to
surrounding houses and injuries to the villagers. The cause of the accident is
still under investigation.
After
investigation, the accident was due to the company's uncontrollable flow of
molten aluminum into the casting well during the aluminum rod casting process,
resulting in an explosion.
After
the accident, the leaders of the providence and nearby city attached great
importance to it. The first time they visited the site and they set up on-site
rescue and other five working groups to carry out the disposal. At present,
various tasks such as the aftermath of the accident are in progress.
We pray for the deceased worker’s families, friends, and coworkers.
We hope that the injured workers recover fully from their injuries.
We apologize if the introduction to this post had a negative tone.
We simply get frustrated when incidents like this occur. Our sources have told
us that the company chose not to use a safety pit coating on the casting tool
nor the casting well (pit) walls. The Aluminium Association’s has approved only
three (3) Wise Chem E-212-F, Wise Chem E-115, and Carboline 955CP.
Reports are that the company was operating a high water pit at the
time of explosion. Maybe the company believed that high water pit was safer
than a low water pit. If they did, their assumption was wrong, deadly wrong.
Explosions can occur with highwater pits. In many instances high water pit
explosions or more severe than low water pit explosions. Why? Because when an
explosion occurs with a high water pit the explosion is closer to the factory
floor versus a low water pit where the explosion would be below ground.
Regardless, the Aluminium Plant Safety Blog recommends Wise Chem coatings for
prevention of molten metal explosions.
The Aluminium Times had an article about this hazard recently. It can be downloaded here.
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