Man suffers third degree burns after dust explosion
14 September 2011
There are reports that a 46-year-old man working at an alloy plant near Greely in Ottawa, Canada, was taken to hospital with second-degree and third-degree burns to 30% of his body after a dust explosion and fire.
Firefighters evacuated a warehouse at Masterloy Products Co. following an explosion that occurred in the plant’s dust collection unit near a door.
A burnt-out forklift stood next to the door and could have been the source of a secondary explosion.
While a hazardous materials unit was initially dispatched to the blaze, no toxins were found at the site.
The injured worker suffered second-degree burns on his torso and third-degree burns on his legs and back, said paramedic spokeswoman Stephanie Logan. He was taken to the trauma unit at the Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital, where his condition was listed as serious, and he was scheduled to be transported to a burns unit.
Ottawa paramedic spokesman Michael Latimer said at the scene that the man may have also suffered a blast injury, which could affect his internal organs.
Damage to the building is estimated at $50,000, while damage to the contents is estimated at an additional $50,000, plus $10,000 for the destroyed forklift.
The incident is under investigation by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour.
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