Detergent in aluminum container - hydrogen liberation and explosion

In an incident, a person filled aluminum container with a detergent solution.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201810100055.html

This caused hydrogen generation and explosion, causing burn injuries to two persons.

As per theory, alkalis can react with aluminum leading to hydrogen gas generation.

http://www2.uni-siegen.de/~pci/versuche/english/v44-10.html

EHS Today - worker suffers burns due to fire from rich oxygen work atmosphere

http://www.ehstoday.com/construction/worker-severely-burned-when-trapped-fiery-underground-duct?NL=OH-05&Issue=OH-05_20171116_OH-05_712&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_4&utm_rid=CPG03000007741031&utm_campaign=23112&utm_medium=email&elq2=4c69ad8c5a1d4c0f9872eb2a45dd0031

A worker suffered third degree burns due to a fire while working inside a duct that had rich oxygen.

The contractor was charged for safety lapses in confined space work, i.e. failure to ensure work area air monitoring, mechanical ventilation.

Many do not know the hazards of oxygen above atmospheric levels of 21% v/v. One should not think that compressed air and compressed oxygen are same.

Dress soaked in oxygen can catch fire easily. Materials burn easily in high oxygen conditions. 

Higher oxygen levels can cause damage to lungs and eyes.

That's the reason why safety professionals ask for measuring and finding reasons for oxygen levels in work area which are not at 21% v/v. 

Even if it is low, even slightly below 21% also, one should not think it is okay, because the difference can be some toxic/poisonous and pose health hazard. Similarly, for higher levels.

Then, we should ensure supply of fresh air (not oxygen) in the confined space work area. Generally, we supply air into the work area for 24 hours before work. Again, the work atmosphere will be measured for safe condition before permitting the persons inside.

Then buddy system also is to be ensured.

Teacher gets burns during demo in the chemistry class

In a fire incident, a teacher got first and second degree burns while conducting an experiment in front of the students in a chemistry class. The school science classrooms had emergency showers and the teacher doused flames by using it.
It is highly appreciable that the school management has kept emergency showers in the classroom which is rare.
However, one could have checked the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the chemicals handled before the experiment. Or, was there any slip during the experiment, though the hazards are known?

Explosion in detonator factory during disposing of rejected detonators from explosives

In an explosion in one of the largest explosives exporting factory, during separation of rejected detonators from explosives by cutting wires, a mechanical cutter fell down on the explosives below causing the blast leading loss of two lives and injuring 13 others with some of them receiving severe burns.

One of the injured suffered hearing loss during the incident.

The site was visited by State Home Minister, Police and other officials.

Police registered case under various sections of IPC (Indian Penal Code) for negligent act and others leading to personal harm and initiated the probe.

As per reports, the persons doing the job were retired employees as contract workers having experience.

There were also reports of demanding for shifting of the factory from residential premises.

There were some fatal incidents earlier also in the last 10-15 years.

To avoid such incidents, possibility of  automation of removal of rejected detonators needs to be explored.

As the cutter fell down below on explosives during the job, and it is likely that such slippages can happen, suitable path for shifting of material below as soon detonator is separated from the explosive material for every explosive or collecting the explosive material under water or any other medium has to be seen.

Governments have to ensure that industrial areas are well separated from residential areas. There should a sort of no habitat zone between industries and residential areas. It is natural that wherever development is there, the surroundings will see growth of residential areas with a view to gain from real estate price increase. 

Definitely, large industrial complexes would have been set up far away from residential areas at that time. Earlier remote places would have become part of the present cities due to growth. Shifting of industries also will be costly and who will foot this cost. 

Hence, a policy as suggested above is required with marked zones and no-man zones.