FIVE metal fabrication technicians sustained severe injuries when a newly constructed underground fuel tank on which they were working exploded at Bubuashie in Accra.
The incident, which occurred at the annex factory of Metal Craft Engineering Limited at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, happened moments after the five had filled the tank with oxygen to test for leakage.
An eyewitness, Mr Rudolf Odoi Yemmo, told the Daily Graphic that the explosion threw the welders into the air, with one landing on the roof of a nearby church.
According to him, the company suspected that the gauge on the tank was faulty, a situation that prompted the explosion when it was being filled in readiness for the leakage test.
Two of the injured, whose names were given as Benjamin Kuwornu, 27, and Kofi, were treated and discharged at the Cocoa Clinic, while the others, who are said to be in critical condition, are currently on admission at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Kuwornu, who sustained deep wounds on his right eye and parts of his hands, was undergoing an X-ray scan at the Cocoa Clinic when the Daily Graphic visited the hospital.
When the Daily Graphic visited the factory at 11: a.m. yesterday, production activities had been suspended, while Alsatian dogs had been positioned in the yard to ward off intruders.
A careful observation of the premises revealed that house-keeping at the fabrication points was poor, with unused ferrous scrap metal pieces scattered all over.
Officials of the company were, however, tight-lipped and would not comment on the incident when the Daily Graphic team visited the main office, located about 500 metres from the scene of the accident.
The Station Officer at the Darkuman Police Station, Inspector Isaiah Mawuli Adiku, confirming the incident, said company officials were yet to file a formal complaint with the unit.
“Although we have visited the scene to conduct preliminary investigations, we are waiting for the company officials to formally file an official complaint to allow us to conduct an intensive probe into the incident,” he stated.
SOURCE: Della Russel Ocloo, Daily Graphic, Wed March 28, 2012
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