Furnace Explosion

According to the explosion on October 6, 2018, Tata Steel (Thailand) Public Company Limited (TSTH) has clarified the details about an accident in the Electric Arc Furnace at Siam Construction Steel Company Limited, TSTH subsidiary in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Muang District, Rayong Province at about 08:15 hours on October 6, 2018 when the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) was warming after relining. TSTH clarifies that there was no leakage of hazardous chemical substances in the environment and no impact to neighboring factories and surrounding communities. Downstream rolling mill operations are running normally. Four workers who were present near the furnace at the time of explosion accident got injured. The four injured workers were immediately taken to Bangkok Rayong Hospital. Two had minor injuries and have since been allowed to return home. Other two had burn injuries and are being treated at the hospital. TSTH is providing the best possible care to all injured workers. The work to bring back the steel plant operation under normal operation has started. Repair of the machine and the damaged roof has begun. An expert team has been constituted to review the safety system of the furnace. TSTH will institute necessary safety measures to prevent recurrence of such instances. Support from external agencies who can provide safety assurance shall be taken as appropriate. Review and practicing of emergency response plan shall be done as per the norms of Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). The IEAT, based on Section 37 of the Industrial Works Act, BE 2535 (1992), ordered the company to immediately cease its activities in areas around the furnace, and sent in officials to investigate the cause of the explosion. Safety measures to prevent recurrence by the company will have to be completed, and submitted to the IEAT within 15 days from the date of receiving the notice. Also, progress in the process has to be reported to the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.