News

Explosion at shanghai-based Apple factory

CHINA

Since a previous ATEX Explosion Hazards blog, further details have emerged on the shanghai explosion:

An explosion took place last weekend at a Shanghai-based Apple factory, making it the third lethal incident at an Apple factory in only 15 months. The incident has left roughly 60 people injured and is currently under investigation by Chinese authorities.  The explosion happened on December 17 at 3:40pm at the Riteng Computer Accessory Co. factory, a subsidiary of Apple supplier Pegatron Corp, which manufactures parts such as the iPad 2 rear panel. Apple spokeswoman in China Carolyn Wu said it was working with Pegatron to comprehend the cause of the blast and expressed the company's sympathies for the 61 injured. "Our hearts go out to the people who were hurt in Songjiang. We are working closely with Pegatron to understand the cause of this accident."

Aluminum dust is most likely to be blamed for the blast, as it is highly combustible and heavily used to make those pretty shiny Apple cases. One of Apple's biggest suppliers in China, Foxconn, was hit by a similar explosion in May, killing three people and injuring at least 15 workers. Apple's supply chain has seen a string of labor disputes lately over working conditions. Environmental groups have also accused the company of causing disproportional pollution in the areas surrounding its factories.

The Aluminium Powder Co in Anglesey, exploded 16th. July 1983 injuring two men and causing very extensive damage on-site. McKechnie Bros, Widnes in 1985 killed one employee, & North Derbyshire Metals Ltd had two explosions in the 1990s & Wolstenholme Bronze of Darwin double fatality in 1992. One of these employees was just walking down the yard when a filter located at high level outside exploded. 

This was a Filter Hopper-1 gram Aluminium = 6 gram of TNT

Hayes-Lemmerz Auto Wheels Indiana, is part of a series of animations from the CSB in the States.  They show what happens in major incidents.

This link shows what happens when Aluminum Powder in a dust collector propagates into the building.