Angelo Laurence, Gleaner WriterMANDEVILLE, Manchester:
THE MANAGEMENT of West Indies Alumina Company (Windalco) has launched an investigation into what caused an explosion at their Kirkvine plant on Friday, seriously injuring at least one worker.
According to workers at the plant, who were near the accident scene, an explosion rocked the number eight vertical digester at about 3.30 p.m., throwing the worker, Darion Cross, on the roof of the building, injuring him. The digester is some 60 feet above ground.
Windalco's communications officer, Kayon Wallace-Headly, told The Gleaner that Mr. Cross, who is employed to Quality Plus Maintenance, was conducting a cleaning operation at the plant when the explosion occurred . She said he was rushed to the nearby health centre on the compound, treated and then transferred to the Hargreaves Memorial Hospital in Mandeville. He suffered injuries to his chest and arms, and is said to be in stable condition and undergoing treatment, according to a spokeswoman at the hospital.
SAFETY CONCERNS AT PLANT
National Workers Union vice-president, Norman DaCosta, who was at the plant, said the union, which is currently locked in wage negations with the company, was very concerned about safety at the plant. He said the latest accident at the Kirkvine plant, as well as the one which took the life of 32-year-old electrician Ainsley Solomon of New Green district last week, were primarily caused by the company using inexperienced persons to cut cost.
Solomon was also employed to a contractor doing work at the plant when he fell to his death from an elevator.
Mr. DaCosta said these persons who work with contracted companies breach safety measures or "take short cuts" resulting in the rash of accidents and loss of life.
