Sarnia-based Aluma Power Corporation has been hit with a $90,000 fine under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following a workplace explosion in 2023 that left three workers injured.
The company entered a guilty plea in provincial offenses court in Sarnia, and the Crown imposed a mandatory 25 percent victim fine surcharge.
Aluma Power, situated at 235 Henry Drive on Aamjiwnaang First Nation, is involved in developing, fabricating, and testing experimental technology designed for electricity production.
On November 14, 2023, employees were conducting tests on a four-cell aluminum-air galvanic generator at the site.
The Ontario government stated in a news release that the equipment generates electricity via a chemical reaction and produces highly flammable hydrogen gas as part of its operation.
Testing was carried out 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 an accumulation of hydrogen within the confined space and resulted in an explosion inside the fume hood, causing injuries to the workers.
The province mentioned that this area also had several potential ignition sources and did not comply with necessary safety regulations.
Fortunately, all three injured workers have since recovered and returned to their jobs.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development determined that testing was not done in an area 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 weren’t disclosed.
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