The Department of Labor (DOL) released their findings that Air Liquide Advanced Materials failed to adhere to safety protocols which would have prevented explosion that caused multiple employee injuries.
According to a press release, after the explosion at Air Liquide Advanced Materials Inc. in May of 2023, investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated an inspection at the site. The manufacturer produces diborane, a toxic, colorless gas that is very easily ignited.
Details regarding how this unfortunate incident occurred were made available through OSHA's investigation, which revealed that the explosion was caused by an employee using a heat fun to transfer gas into a steel cylinder. The resulting blast through the employee through a wall. The employee received treatment for injuries including brain injury, third degree burns, and a limb amputation. Other workers were also treated for additional injuries including chemical burns, according to information in the media release.
Following OSHA's findings, they shared their perspective on Air Liquide Advanced Materials' approach towards employee safety: "By putting production ahead of safety, Air Liquide Advanced Materials altered a young worker’s life permanently. Our investigation found the company worked to increase productivity at its High Springs facility but failed to employ safety measures required for the production of a toxic chemical, diborane," said OSHA Area Office Director Scott Tisdale in a statement. "No employee should ever risk their life or well-being needlessly to earn a living. This preventable tragedy must serve as a reminder of the importance of complying with safety and health standards, as required by law."
As a consequence of OSHA's investigation, Air Liquide Advanced Materials was cited for serious violations: According to a press release, after its investigation, OSHA cited Air Liquide Advanced Materials for willfully exposing workers to fire and explosion hazards by requiring them to use equipment not intrinsically safe in the presence of flammable chemicals and vapors. The agency also cited the employer for 12 serious violations including not removing equipment in hazardous locations with ignitable or combustible properties of specific gases, vapors, dust or fibers present. OSHA proposed $201,573 in penalties to address the safety violations found in the investigation.
