Third fire in one month forces Tennessee plant to close

Amaero Advanced Materials and Manufacturing is being forced to shut down operations at its Chattanooga, Tennessee following an explosion. Local news source ABC 9 reported an explosion on the morning of May 26 follows two previous incidents at the same site: On May 13, an explosion hospitalized two workers with severe burns, and two days later, another small explosion caused a second fire. ABC 9 cited local fire officials, who said the plant will be “closed until further notice” pending an investigation by Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

According to a statement from the county’s Emergency Management Director, the latest fire occurred while workers were trying to repair damage from previous incidents. Residual material in a PVC pipe caught fire while the pipe was being removed. Workers on-site reduced the fire to a smolder before fire crews arrived.

Amaero is an Australian company that produces specialty metal powders and powder metallurgy services, including hot isostatic pressing, for the defense, aerospace, medical, petroleum, and heavy equipment industries. Hot isostatic pressing involves compacting powdered materials, metal or ceramic, into a sealed kiln that uses pressure and heat to fuse the powders together into a finished, low-porosity product suitable for high-demand industries. In February, another isostatic pressing facility in Canby, Oregon exploded, injuring one employee.

Following the May 13 incident, Amaero issued a statement addressing the second fire.

“The safety and well-being of every member of the Amaero family is our highest priority — today and every day,” said Amaero CEO Hank Holland. Our thoughts are with our two colleagues and their families, and they remain our immediate concern. We have commenced a thorough root cause analysis to determine the cause of the incident, to identify any additional preventative measures and to reinforce our safety procedures and training.”

Spotlight on safety

Silver refinery leak kills two, hospitalizes 19 in West Virginia
Local authorities issued a shelter in place order for a one-mile radius surrounding Catalyst Refiners in Institute, West Virginia.

2 injured in explosion and fire at Illinois chemical plant
An explosion at a Coogee Chemical factory in Ottowa, Illinois April 20 has hospitalized two employees.

OSHA cites two stone product manufacturers for respirable crystalline silica exposure
The two companies collectively face $116,306 in fines for 26 violations, including eleven serious violations and ten repeat violations.