Whether you work in an office, at a hospital, an oil refinery, or chemical plant, every workplace has its share of hazards. However, if you work around explosive materials, you are at a heightened risk of being injured in an explosion or fire.
What causes chemical explosions?
Chemical explosions are either decomposition or combination reactions. With decomposition reactions, the rapid expansion of the gases form a shock wave, which causes an explosive effect.
Combination reactions on the other hand, require two or more components, such as potassium nitrate, carbon, or sulfur, which react to produce hot gasses.
The extent of damage caused by the explosion depends on the velocity of the explosion. Decomposition reactions tend to be much faster than combination reactions; they typically apply to military applications and are more destructive.
Understanding Physical Explosions
With a physical explosion, no chemical or nuclear reaction occurs. This often happens when a vessel ruptures, and its contents (gas or liquid) exist under high pressure. If the vessel containing the gas or liquid bursts, the contents are free to expand and a shock wave forms.
Explosions can be intentional and used in mining and road building, or they can be accidental. Since they are extremely dangerous, explosive materials must always be handled with extreme care to prevent deadly accidents.
Caution must be exercised around industrial explosives, laboratory and industrial chemicals, and flammable gasses.
Some blast injuries include:
- Third-degree burns
- Ear injuries (from overpressure)
- Gastrointestinal injuries
- Lung injuries (blast lung)
- Hidden brain damage
- Blast-induced neurotrauma
Have you, or someone you love been injured in an industrial or oil refinery explosion or fire? Often, such explosions stem from negligence on behalf of an employer or co-worker. If you were injured in an explosion or fire, you are urged to contact a
personal injury attorney from our directory for help filing a claim for compensation.