Mid-November saw Cardiff rocked by tragedy as an explosion at the city’s Celsa steelworks claimed two lives and left several others injured.
Each time an industrial incident of this kind occurs, it raises questions about ongoing safety precautions on active sites, especially those such as steelworks where there may be high temperatures and flammable materials in everyday usage.
At the time of writing, the cause of the Celsa blast has not yet been formally announced, but reports claim that it may have been triggered in an oil accumulator in the facility’s bar and rod mill.
With autumn rapidly becoming winter, many industrial facilities are likely to be switching on their heaters to keep staff comfortable when working in draughty locations – raising the risk of sparking a fire or explosion in the presence of combustible fluids.
Hazardous area heaters help to reduce this risk, by delivering the warmth that is needed, without representing a risk of igniting any fumes in the atmosphere.
Luis Sanz, managing director of Celsa Steel UK, said on November 19th: “In memory of our colleagues, we will strive tirelessly to avoid another day like yesterday. Safety is always our absolute priority.”
With hazardous area heaters and other specially designed hazardous area equipment, active sites in all industries can do their bit to ensure no such explosions claim any human lives in the years to come.
