Explosion site inside Zhongrong Metal Products factory. Image Courtesy of China.org.cn
Over a year ago we talked about an explosion at an aluminum automotive parts factory in China, with the fatal explosion occurring in August of 2014. This passage of time has not been enough for the wounds of those affected by this Chinese dust explosion to heal.
The factory manufactured aluminum wheel rims, and safety regulations for handling combustible aluminum dust were ignored, allowing accumulations of the dust to build up in the facility. Workers would complain of the dust being so thick that it would clog their masks and coat them head to toe. Employees who worked the shift during the explosion reported that the dust in the air was so thick it was hard to see.
The blast killed 146 workers and injured 114 more, leading the Chinese government to convince 3 executives and 11 government officials there and create new safety standards for manufacturing. The cause of the blast was found to be sparks from the heat created by the large amounts of aluminum dust reacting to water.
One of the survivors, Duan Chengming, recalls the explosion as a fireball whose blast made his ears ring, with flames that burned the clothes off his back within seconds and burned his hair as he ran away with other coworkers. Another worker, Song Chengqiang, was outside at the time, and remembers seeing a huge black mushroom cloud come from the building, which then immediately collapsed into rubble, workers trying to run to safety while on fire.
After the blast the hospitals were overwhelmed by the influx of victims, who were admitted to over a dozen hospitals in the 8 nearest cities. One of the doctors who helped treat the victims told reporters that “in 27 years as a doctor, I have never seen any injuries as serious as those caused by this blast”. Along with severe burns, many suffered from internal injuries caused by the intense pressure of the blast.
Now, over 19 months since the explosion there are still more than 70 victims still being treated in area hospitals. Most of the survivors and families of the deceased are still waiting on some form of compensation and payment for medical bills.
Factory workers face enough hazards in their work environment, but the risk of a dust explosion should not be one, particularly if the company knows about the problem and can fix it. Failing to safely clean combustible dust creates dangerous conditions for employees, and is negligence on the company’s end. OSHA and other inspection agencies have shut factories down when these conditions have been found, and given huge fines, but it is sadly still an issue that we see happening every day.
Employees worried about their safety or who notice possible violations being committed are able to anonymously contact OSHA to file a complaint or request an inspection by calling 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visiting https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/complain.html
Contact a Hughes Environmental representative to learn how we can safely remove the hazard of a combustible dust explosion. Our technicians are OSHA trained and use explosion proof vacuum cleaners when handling combustible dusts.
