" This morning "something" went wrong...."

The use of industrial gases in a variety of processes is commonplace in our plants. The transportation, storage, and use of the industrial gases is a risk. Here is a recent incident highlighting this hazard.

(aluminium company) employees are allowed back into the factory at the end of the afternoon.

This morning "something" went wrong while cleaning one of the machine parts. As a result, more hydrogen gas was released than usual within (company name omitted) aluminum factory in (location omitted). Many emergency services turned out. Mainly to be on the safe side, says spokesperson of the local Safety Region. "It could have gone very wrong, then you want to be prepared for anything."

A report of 'an accident involving hazardous substances' this morning at the local Safety Region  ensures that everyone is on edge. What exactly happened is still unknown. local Safety Region spokesperson does know that hydrogen gas is not good news. "It is not a toxic gas, but it is highly flammable. Then it can just cause an explosion. A big explosion, even."

(aluminium company) makes products from aluminium, such as a traffic or flagpole. This is done in a kind of mold. While cleaning one of those molds this morning, things go wrong: the extractor that normally cleans up the released hydrogen gas is not working properly. "We don't know yet how that could happen," says aluminium company director. "But when it became clear that there was a mistake somewhere in the process, we immediately called the fire brigade."

Evacuation

There were no flames, but the factory was quickly evacuated afterwards. That was also the advice of the fire brigade. "There was no panic, not that. When the alarm bells go off inside the building, everyone knows what to do." All 119 employees were accommodated in the building next door. Three of them had problems with their breathing, aluminium company director confirms. Ambulance workers checked their health. "They are doing well again now."

It all ended with a fizzle this afternoon. Ventilation was the answer to the excess hydrogen gas in the factory. "Open roller doors and let the wind blow through," says Vos. "Then the level of hydrogen gas drops again."

Many emergency services

Despite the good outcome, the street where the factory is located was full of emergency services this afternoon. Including nine fire engines. Spokesperson: "There was a large scale-up, because it could have gone very wrong. In the event that there was an explosion, it would have been huge. That's what you have with hydrogen gas. Fortunately, that didn't happen, but that's why the dike was full of emergency services."

At the aluminum factory, the cleaning process is on hold for the time being, until it is clear what caused the error in the extraction system. "It is the first time in 80+ years that this happened and we hope that it will not happen again," says aluminium company director.

We are thankful no one was injured in this unexpected gas release. As the article stated if the hydrogen gas ignited an explosion could have resulted.

No doubt this workplace had planned for an unexpected release of hydrogen. At first warning the call went out to the local EMS and the plant was evacuated. Good Job!

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