Fatal explosion at Nebraska bullet manufacturing plant claims employee’s life.
A tragic explosion shook a bullet manufacturing plant in Nebraska on Oct. 13, resulting in the accidental death of an employee and injuries to two others, according to state fire officials.
The Nebraska Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an investigation and determined that the explosion at Hornady Manufacturing occurred during the mixing process of a primer compound.
Adriana Alvarez, a 32-year-old employee, tragically lost her life in the explosion at 9:57 a.m., while two other workers were treated at a local hospital and released the same day.
Fire officials stated that the explosion took place in the PVE West Building of Hornady’s 150,000-square-foot distribution facility near Grand Island, which was established in 2018.
According to reports, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently investigating the incident.
The Alda Fire Department, Wood River Fire Department, Grand Island Rural Fire Department, Grand Island Fire Department, Hall County Attorney’s Office, and Hall County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.
Steven and Jason Hornady, the owners of the company, expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of their employee, her family, and loved ones, as well as the entire Hornady team.
They stated, “We are collaborating with all relevant agencies to investigate the cause. This incident was isolated to our primary facility and did not affect any of our other manufacturing facilities. We are grateful for the support we have received and mourn the loss of one of our own.”
This hazardous materials incident is not the first to occur at the Grand Island plant of the company.
Local news station KSNB reported that on Feb. 3, 2016, a workplace accident resulted in an explosion that injured a 42-year-old worker.
Hazardous Process
Modern primers utilize shock-sensitive chemicals that, upon impact, initiate the combustion necessary for propelling bullets or projectiles.
According to Outdoor Life, the chemical mixture known as the primer compound is “the most dangerous substance in the world of firearms and ammunition manufacturing.”
“While gunpowder is flammable, and the chemicals used to blue steel barrels are not something you’d want to ingest, mishandling the primer compound can leave nothing but a smoking crater behind,” the report added.
“That’s why each individual primer is carefully protected in its own cutout within the shipping box.”
Established in 1949, Hornady Manufacturing is a renowned producer of bullets and ammunition for the global market, including specialized products like lower recoil 12-gauge shotgun shells and .45 caliber rounds for handguns.
According to zippia.com, the company has 201 employees and generated revenues exceeding $58 million in 2022.
What are the potential dangers in industries that involve hazardous materials?
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