Ontario Construction News staff writer
A Sarnia company that creates experimental equipment for generating electricity has been fined $90,000 due to unsafe practices that led to an explosive situation.
Aluma Power Corp. pleaded guilty on April 20 in Provincial Offences Court located in southwestern Ontario for the incident that resulted in injuries to three workers.
This event took place on November 14, 2023, while employees were testing a prototype known as a four‑cell aluminum‑air galvanic generator at the Sarnia facility. This device generates electricity through a chemical reaction and emits hydrogen gas as part of its operation. Hydrogen is very flammable and can cause explosions if it accumulates and encounters an ignition source, like a spark or flame.
The tests were conducted inside a large fume hood designed to eliminate hazardous gases from the air via ventilation.
During the testing process, the workers realized that hydrogen gas was not escaping properly through a small water-filled tube (referred to as a bubbler) meant to safely vent the gas.
As they worked to figure out where the gas was gathering, hydrogen began accumulating within the enclosed area. An explosion occurred inside the fume hood, injuring three workers who have since recovered and returned to their jobs.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development revealed that testing wasn’t performed in an area suitable for such hazards. The location also had several potential ignition sources and failed to meet safety standards required for processes capable of generating explosive gases.
The company had no previous violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
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