" 6 teams wearing respiratory protection were deployed.

 

The potential of a molten metal spill for companies who handle molten metal is a potential hazard that some companies minimize. In such that some companies do not train, and do not perform drills for when a molten metal spill occurs. Please note the use of “when” and not “if” a molten metal spill will occur in the previous sentence. Why? Because in our experience all companies who handle molten metal will experience an unexpected release of molten metal from it’s intended container. That container can be foundry mold, furnace, lauder, crucible, etc. It happens. Here is a recent incident that emphasizes the need of training and performing drills on how to safely act when a molten metal spill occurs.

 

The (local) fire brigade went out on Friday at around 8.30 p.m. for an operation in an aluminum recycling company. As the fire brigade writes in a statement, hot metal slag escaped from a blast furnace there, probably due to a technical defect.

 

Gas lines also run through the affected area. The first emergency services found a lot of smoke and heat on site. Due to the extent, other forces were immediately alerted. All employees had left the danger area. After consultation with the operator of the facility, six teams wearing respiratory protection were deployed to extinguish the area that had caught fire. After about three hours, the fire brigade was able to end the operation and hand over the site to the company. 

The (local) fire brigade was deployed with seven vehicles and 36 emergency services. The district fire chief, the police and an ambulance from the DRK were also on site to protect the emergency services.

All indications are that no one was injured in this molten metal spill that occurred in Germany at the end of March 2022. Which we are ecstatic. How did the molten metal escape? The news article states possible “technical defect”. In our opinion that could for a myriad of reasons. But, it appears that the “slag escape” could even be dross. But, we don’t understand how dross could escape. Regardless, if it was molten metal as we assume it would be or if it was dross. The hot metal came into contact with a combustible that ignited. The combustible could be a greasy, dirty floor. That is a common incident. We have also observed consumables in cardboard boxes being stored directly on the workfloor or on wooden pallets. If molten metal comes into contact with cardboard or a wooden pallet a fire will occur.

We hope the reader will use this (and every) post to make their workplace. If your workplace handles molten metal. Do you train your workers on how to safely act when faced with this hazard? Do you perform drills with your workers? If not you should consider it.

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