Workers with 85%, 60%, and 60% burns on their bodies.

 

The hazards associated with aluminium fines and powder is known within our industry. But, all too often our customers or the end users fail to acknowledge the hazards. Here is a recent story emphasizing the hazard associated with aluminium powder/fines.

 

Three people sustained extensive burns in an explosion one afternoon during the week of December 6, 2020 at a military weapons factory in a city in Asia, which appeared to have been caused by the ignition of raw materials, the city government said.

 

When the explosion occurred during a process of mixing aluminum powder, the three people were engulfed in flames, and a 45-year-old soldier suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body, the city government said.

 

Another soldier, in his 20s, sustained second-degree burns over 60 percent of his body, while a maintenance staff member sustained first-degree burns over 60 percent of his body, according to the local City Labor Affairs Bureau.

 

The three people, who were working at the military's national arsenal plant in, were rushed to three different hospitals in a nearby city and were all conscious at the time, the city's labor bureau said.

 

Meanwhile, the plant, has been closed temporarily, pending investigations and inspections, the labor bureau said.

 

Citing its initial investigation, the labor bureau said the factory did not have the required safety equipment or procedures in place to prevent injuries from flammable or explosive materials, as prescribed in the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

 

The case will be referred to the local District Prosecutors Office for further investigation, the labor bureau said, adding that it will provide assistance to the families of the injured workers in the meantime.

 

According to the defense ministry, the (pertinent government) Bureau has formed a special task force to investigate the cause of the explosion and help the injured obtain the best possible medical treatment.

 

Factory manager said the blast occurred while the workers were opening a 53-gallon barrel of raw materials supplied by the institute.

 

Standard operating procedure was followed during the process, factory manager said, adding that the factory will review the sequence of events to find out what happened.

 

In the interest of safety, all operations have been suspended at the factory until the formal investigations are completed, he said.

 

We pray that all of the injured workers recover fully. Sadly we assume that one or more of those injured may succumb to their injuries.

 

Another news article quoted the plant manager as “the three had followed standard operating procedures and safety rules on the handling of materials for missile propellant, as each person had donned a mask, an outer covering made of cotton and anti-static shoes.” We wonder if the cotton clothes the workers were wear ignited. The investigation will focus on where the spark that ignited the powder came from.

 

The Aluminium Times magazine had two articles on this topic.

 

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