Aluma Power Corporation, based in Sarnia, has been hit with a $90,000 fine under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following a workplace explosion in 2023 that resulted in injuries to three employees.
The company pleaded guilty in provincial offenses court located in Sarnia, and the Crown added a mandatory 25 percent victim fine surcharge.
Situated at 235 Henry Drive on Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Aluma Power specializes in developing, fabricating, and testing experimental technology for electricity generation.
On November 14, 2023, employees were conducting tests on a four-cell aluminum-air galvanic generator at the site.
An announcement from the Ontario government stated that this equipment generates electricity through chemical reactions while releasing highly flammable hydrogen gas as part of its operation.
The testing was done inside a large enclosed fume hood; however, during the process, workers realized that hydrogen gas wasn’t venting properly through a small water-filled tube.
This led to hydrogen accumulating within the enclosed space and caused an explosion inside the fume hood that injured the workers.
The province noted that there were several potential ignition sources present in the area and it did not comply with safety standards.
Fortunately, all three employees have since recovered from their injuries and returned to work.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development determined that testing was performed in an area not designed or rated for such hazards.
In November 2023, the ministry issued four requirements along with four orders to Aluma Power Corporation; however, specific details were not disclosed.
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