Date: May 2, 2018
Location: Eaton Rapids, Michigan (USA)
Address: 2001 Industrial Drive, 48827
Company: Meridian Magnesium Products of America
Previous Incidents: Yes
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Metal (Magnesium)
Industry: Metalworking (Magnesium Die-Casting)
Equipment: Initiated by Conveyor Fire
Loss: Two Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Company Description:
According to the company website, Meridian Magnesium Products of America is a global supplier of lightweight cast metal products to the transportation industry. With several offices throughout Michigan, the Eaton Rapids plant focuses Magnesium die-casting to create several automotive parts and structures. At 450 employees the Lansing State Journal says that the company is the largest employer in the community.
Description of the Magnesium Dust Explosion:
On May 2, the Lansing State Journal reported of a fire and series of explosions at the Meridian Magnesium Products of America Facility in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Eaton Rapids City Manager, Aaron Desentz stated to the news agency that the fire originated in the “tunnel” area of the facility where magnesium scraps are put on a conveyor belt line to be melted down. This was followed by a series of explosions which engulfed the facility as shown by drone footage from the news agency website.
Two employees were injured in the incident and were released the same day from the hospital. One suffered a laceration and the other suffered a shoulder injury. Six employee cars were destroyed in the fire and a spill of die-casting lubricant required a protective “curtain” to be installed to protect a nearby creek and river. The firefighters had to let most of the fire burn itself out as water cannot be used on a magnesium dust fire.
Fires are reported to “Break out often” at the plant, although none of a similar magnitude and scale. The most recent was a magnesium fire in a trailer on March 16, 2018. An Establishment Search on the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration website returns safety violations in 2014, 2015, and 2016. OSHA has opened an investigation into the current incident that is flagged under the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program.
Industry Impact:
The magnesium dust fire and potential layoffs have had a major impact on the United States Automotive Industry. As reported by The Drive, Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors are effected. Ford has halted production of their F-150 series pickup truck and General Motors has paused production on its full size vans at the GM Wentzville Assembly Center. Due to the relatively low number of suppliers for magnesium parts. Bloomberg reports that the stoppage may negatively impact fords second quarter earnings as the F-150 pickup generates the largest percentage of Ford’s annual profit.
Incident Update:
In an update the Lansing State Journal indicated that investigators were having difficulties getting into the area of the plant where the fire and first explosion stated. A copy of the fire chief’s incident report was released on Scribe and indicates that multiple explosions occurred, that one employee was injured by debris, and that a second was thrown into the air and into a door jam. The report also indicates several vehicle fires and that the second and third explosions were caused by the fire suppression system. Magnesium burning can actually be enhanced by the addition of water which caused these explosions.
The Detroit Free Press indicated that the total damage has been estimated as $8 million from the Fire Chief’s report. This number includes $4 million in damages to the building and $4 million to the contents/machinery (source: Lansing State Journal). In another update, the The News Wheel reported that F-150 production is back up-and-running on May 21 after layoffs at the Dearborn Truck Plant, Kansas City Assembly Plant, and Kentucky Truck Plant caused by the explosion.
Related Companies: None
Sources:
Lansing State Journal (Article)
Lansing State Journal (Drone Footage)
The Drive
Bloomberg
Lansing State Journal (Update)
Detroit Free Press
The News Wheel
Lansing State Journal (Fire Investigator Report)
Keywords: Magnesium Dust, Die-Casting, Conveyor Fire, Explosion
