"It's a very big explosion"

Throughout our industry different terminology is used to describe from types of equipment. Which can be confusing in some aspects for the Aluminium Plant Safety Blog when track incidents globally. We learned quickly that the word furnace has another name in some parts of the world. That world is boiler. Here is a recent incident involving a boilter (furnace) explosion.

An oil boiler exploded in an industrial workplace in the Middle East. The 17-year-old worker was seriously injured in the explosion where the doors and windows of the workplace were broken. The worker with burns on his face and body was taken to the intensive care unit in the hospital.

According to the news in (the country), the work accident occurred in the aluminum plate factory operated by (countrymen) one morning during the week of January 19, 2019. Allegedly, the oil boiler exploded with great noise for an unspecified reason. As the boiler was knocked down due to the explosion, the doors of the workplace were dismantled and the windows were broken, while the refugee worker was seriously injured. (The worker) was brought a local hospital with burns on his face and body. The worker, who was in serious condition, was treated in the intensive care unit.

A local resident who ran to the aid of (the injured worker), said the explosion was very severe and said:

"There was a huge explosion, a tremendous sound. We heard out, we went out. We called an ambulance. There were burns and wounds on the face and body of the injured. But the explosion was huge, it moved the doors with pressure.”

We pray that the injured worker recovers fully from his injuries. We commend the local resident who ran to help after hearing the explosion.

We do not know if the worker was wearing any protective clothing. Nor do we know why the boiler/furnace exploded. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has posted furnace explosions that were caused by contamination, and moisture entrapment. The Aluminum Association (USA) states “Mixing water or other contaminants with molten aluminum can cause explosions. Explosions can also occur in the aluminum scrap re-melting process due to moisture and contamination in scrap.“ The Aluminum Association has some great safety documents involving scrap receiving, scrap charging, etc. They can be found here.

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