Explosion in an metallic products plant

Five barrels of aluminium dust were removed from an outdoor dust collector, sealed and stored in the plant, near electrical panels.
One of the barrels had been contaminated with water, which exothermically reacted with the aluminium dust to form hydrogen gas. The top of the barrel deformed and glowed red. Smoke was observed and an employee sounded a vocal alarm.
The lid blew off the barrel and the mushroom cloud of aluminium dust exploded in a fireball. Nearby combustible material ignited and the sprinkler system activated. The closest employee, sustained second-degree burns of the arm and neck and went to the emergency room for treatment. Due to the warning, there were no other serious injuries.

The barrel of aluminium dust outdoor dust collector was contaminated with water and produced hydrogen. The ROOT CAUSE is related to the absence of preventing and mitigating measures, in a plant dealing with aluminium dust. The risk of metallic dust are well known and should be considered in the safety design od the operations.

aluminium powder, dust collector, barrels

Smoke from the barrel was observed and an employee sounded a vocal alarm. Despite the following explosion, only the closest employee was injured, Thanks to the warning, there were no other serious injuries.