Man burned, air-lifted 140+ km to burn unit....

The hazards associated with working in a potroom are numerous. The hazard include but not limited to molten metal, electrical, moveable equipment, dust/fine fires, etc. We have talked to thousands of workers about the hazards in potrooms. Here is a recent incident highlighting the danger of working in a potroom.

A man was burned this afternoon at an aluminium smelter in North America during the week of April 28, 2019.

The call came in just before 3:30 p.m. one day after a worker received burns from the smelter.

The victim was air-lifted over 140 kilometers to an emergency burn unit where he is receiving emergency care. “(Aluminium company) and a local fire department responded along with EMS. A spokesperson -- for the aluminum company tells Eyewitness News the company is currently investigating and have reached out to the family to provide support. The condition of that worker who was burned has not been released.

We pray that the injured worker recovers from his injuries. Thankfully this smelter was close enough to an emergency burn unit so that the injured worker was able to begin treatment as soon as possible.

We have found out through our industry sources that the worker is in a coma. We assume that the worker was medically induced into the coma to treat his severe injuries. We pray that the worker recovers fully.

In our experience there are two ways for a worker to receive burns in a potroom. Either by molten metal exposure or by electrical arc. Even though there is little information on what occurred. We know one thing, a worker was suffered severe burns while working in a potroom. That is enough information to have a toolbox talk on.

We will update you on this story as further information becomes available.

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