STARTLING EXPLOSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21803, 18 May 1934, Page 4

STARTLING EXPLOSION

SEVEN WORKERS INJURED BURNED BY MOLTEN METAL Seven men and youths suffered painfid burns from molten metal when an explosion occurred while they wore casting a seven-ton roller at the works of John Payne and Sons Proprietary, .Limited, Carlton, Melbourne, recently. The roller was intended to be sent to Newcastle, New South Wales. To east a roller, a core is prepared by wrapping hemp and sand paste around a perforated metal pipe. This is placed in the centre of the mould, which is in the ground, and the molten metal is poured around it. The core allows the gases and fumes to escape. As the metal was being poured in, it began to penetrate the core, and eventually blocked the pipe. The gases consequently did not escape, and the pressure at the bottom of the mould began to increase. Without warning an explosion occurred, and molten metal was blown up to the roof, which is .SOft. high. The men turned and ran, but they were not quick enough to avoid the metal. Lt fell on their backs and shoulders, burning through their clothing. The metal inflicted painful burns wherever it touched the skin. Seven workers wero treated at hospital for severe boms about the shoulders, chest and back.