'release of tons of molten aluminum..."

 

The escape of molten aluminum in our workplaces is a hazard that some in our industry downplay. Here is an incident emphasizing the hazard of molten metal escaping and causing further hazards.

The intervention of the fire brigade on Sunday evening at the Pieve Emanuele company

(Aluminium company), the alarm returned after the fire on Sunday evening in an oven that caused the release of tons of molten aluminum. The damage balance is still to be quantified; on the injured front, only one worker who was working with the team in the oven at the time of the fire needed hospital treatment and was transported to the hospital in yellow code for investigations following a principle of intoxication. 

Six other people, including two firefighters, were visited on the spot, again because of the smoke fumes. At the (aluminium company), the affected furnace will now remain inactive for a few days. It will be necessary to wait for the works to recover the aluminum and finished in the basements of the company. On the spot the other evening and during the night two fire brigade teams intervened, five ambulances and a medical car. (name omitted), former trade unionist and employee of the (aluminium company) as well as councilor of the local municipality of (name omitted), was among the first to reach Aluminium company as soon as he heard the news: "I wanted to make sure that the workers were all well, the only colleague transported to the emergency room of the (local) hospital in ambulance for inhaling fumes is out of danger. I want to thank the firefighters and the workers who intervened to extinguish the fire and make the plant safe. We must work to ensure that workers' health is put first . It must be a priority. " With the fire on Sunday evening the number of accidents in the furnaces where the molten aluminum is processed rises to three; in August of last year, two similar events also occurred in August a few days apart from each other. The mayor of (the town), also intervened on the incandescent aluminum casting that caused the fire at the Aluminium company: "We intervened immediately to check the situation and ascertain the state of health of the workers present at the time of the event. Luckily there were no exhalative dispersions or consequences for the health of citizens. We thank the firefighters, the police, ambulances and rescues that intervened promptly ". We intervened immediately to check the situation and make sure of the health of the workers present at the time of the event. Fortunately, there were no exhalative dispersions or consequences for the health of citizens. We thank the firefighters, the police, ambulances and rescuers who intervened promptly ". We intervened immediately to check the situation and make sure of the health of the workers present at the time of the event. Fortunately, there were no exhalative dispersions or consequences for the health of citizens. We thank the firefighters, the police, ambulances and rescuers who intervened promptly ".

We hope the individual who was taken to the hospital recovers fully from their injuries and do not have any long term effects from the smoke inhalation.

This is a great example of a community coming to assist an aluminum company. Members of town council and even the mayor were on scene to provide assistance.

Molten aluminium has the same viscosity of water. When molten aluminium escapes its holding spot it will flow to the lowest point unless there are either fixed or temporary barriers. A problem arises when the molten metal comes into contact with a combustible or worse yet moisture. In “basements” the combustible is typically oils, grease and dirt. Prevention is simply a housekeeping issue in regards to keeping oils and combustibles out of the basements. All basements under furnaces should be coated with Wise Chem. That way if molten metal enters a Wise Coated basement the moisture present will not result in an explosion.

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