Maintenance Technician Suffers Injuries from Electrical Transformer Explosion at Georgia Manufacturer

Six days after opening a complaint inspection at a Columbus, Ga.-based auto parts manufacturer in August 2023, federal safety investigators learned that a 41-year-old maintenance technician at the site endured severe injuries from an electrical transformer explosion and opened a second investigation. 

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators found that the worker of Aludyne Columbus LLC – operating as Aludyne Columbus Foundry – was severely injured by an arc flash while attempting to replace a blown fuse on a transformer and was later transported to Piedmont Hospital.

Across both inspections, OSHA cited Aludyne Columbus for 22 serious and three other-than-serious violations. Specifically, the agency found the employer: 

• Failed to require employees to don appropriately certified electrical suits while changing out electrical components in a high voltage energized area. 
• Allowed workers to use non-insulated tools within approximately 12 in. of energized power lines in a high voltage energized area.
• Exposed workers to an airborne concentration of respirable silica of up to 15 times above the permissible time-weighted average. 
• Failed to provide National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirators to employees exposed to silicosis hazards. 
• Did not provide fit testing to workers required to wear respirators while exposed to crystalline silica.
• Failed to provide protective equipment such as goggles and gloves to workers handling chemicals. 
• Did not keep an emergency eye wash station free from debris and ready for immediate use.

OSHA has proposed $182,344 in penalties, an amount set by federal statute. 

For more information, read the original release from the Department of Labor.