Expert highlighted the danger of static electricity!
Evaluating the explosion at the explosives factory in Balıkesir, which killed 12 people and injured 5, Occupational Health and Safety Expert Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl said, “It is very difficult to understand the cause of the incident due to the massive destruction that has occurred.”
Emphasizing that one of the most important issues to pay attention to in such places is the danger of static electricity, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl stated, “Static electricity always poses a great risk because it is difficult to control. Therefore, grounding is of great importance; a holistic grounding system should be provided, and measures such as humidification should be taken if necessary.”
Also drawing attention to occupational safety training, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl said, “In facilities of this type, which are classified as very hazardous, employees must receive at least 16 hours of training per year.”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Occupational Health and Safety Expert Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, evaluated the explosion and collapse at the explosives factory in Balıkesir's Karesi district, which killed 12 people and injured 5.
The company gives the impression of having a regular production structure
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl pointed out that the company where the explosion occurred appeared to be a safely operating establishment, stating, “There are production facilities planned as small workshops, and it generally gives the impression of having a regular production structure. Therefore, I believe high-level security measures might have been taken. However, there must have been a deficiency for the explosion to occur. From the perspective of security measures, precautions against many ignition sources, including static electricity, need to be taken. For example, I assume that applications such as anti-static clothing and garments, grounding, and humidification are being implemented. However, annual checks of these measures through periodic inspections are also required. It is very difficult to understand the cause of the incident due to the massive destruction that has occurred.”
The impact of the explosion is quite significant…
Noting that, as an expert witness, at least a review of documents could be conducted, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl said, “In this context, were periodic inspections carried out? Was the integrity of the measures maintained? Were the grounding resistance values consistent with the measured and calculated values? I believe all these questions will be clarified through technical investigations. The impact of the explosion is quite significant because explosive materials like pyrotechnic substances are involved here. We need to learn from the incident at the fireworks factory in Hendek, Sakarya. Currently, we are talking about the demolition of a building. The design of this facility suggests that production workshops are kept separate from large residential areas, and the upper buildings serve mostly as administrative or office functions.”
Lightning is also a very low probability
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl stated, “Currently, no one can offer a definitive idea about the cause of the explosion, and it is not possible to provide clear information. We believe this can only emerge from technical investigations. However, whether the technical investigation will yield results is also uncertain. At present, only possibilities can be discussed. There is an impression that the company has a regular and good structure, and that it takes high-level security measures. Many possibilities are being discussed as causes of the explosion, such as shift change, lightning strike, or the possibility of sabotage. Even if the possibility of sabotage is denied, it cannot be completely ruled out. Although initial findings state there was no sabotage, it is impossible to say anything for certain. The possibility of a lightning strike is also being evaluated. Lightning is also a very low probability. I believe the systems there are probably protected by a lightning rod in the form of a Faraday cage. Even if lightning struck, what would its effect be? It could demolish a chimney, shatter a lightning rod, but the likelihood of it creating an incendiary effect inside is quite weak. Still, it is not possible to completely rule out these possibilities.”
The danger of static electricity…
Emphasizing that one of the most important issues to pay attention to in such places is the danger of static electricity, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl continued:
“Static electricity always poses a great risk because it is difficult to control. Therefore, grounding is of great importance; a holistic grounding system should be provided, and measures such as humidification should be taken if necessary. In addition, employees must be provided with anti-static clothing and anti-static shoes. Furthermore, systems such as grounding plates should be installed to allow employees to discharge static electricity from their bodies when entering. It is also important that the materials used inside are specialized. For example, even a spark that may occur in explosive environments can create a danger; even the opening and closing of an electrical contact can play an incendiary role. Such places, like capsule production, are facilities where flammable and oxidizing substances are found together and can lead to an explosion with a small ignition source.”
Employee training…
Stating that it is essential to provide comprehensive training to employees, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl said, “I do not know whether the trainings are approved by vocational qualification institutions, but it is of great importance that personnel working in such dangerous areas have the necessary training and equipment. It appears that this facility primarily operates with a full automation system. This means that sections where manual operations are performed seem quite limited. However, there are still places where manual work is done. In such areas, experienced workers are generally preferred. Especially in sensitive tasks, employees with 15 years or more of experience are employed, as these employees, based on their experience, can detect any anomaly —even a slight change in sound— and intervene in a timely manner.”
Women working in these types of jobs are more careful than men
Generally, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl pointed out that women working in these types of jobs can work more carefully and diligently than men, stating, “Therefore, the involvement of female employees in such areas should not be seen as a disadvantage. Of course, even if it is not a vocational training within the scope of professional competence, companies must provide their employees with the necessary training.”
Employees in such facilities must receive at least 16 hours of training per year
Also drawing attention to occupational safety training, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl said, “Beyond the execution of the work, these trainings focus on how to ensure safety. In facilities of this type, which are classified as very hazardous, employees must receive at least 16 hours of training per year. I believe a large part of these trainings is about acting sensitively regarding the production of explosive materials, controlling static electricity, and the precautions that need to be taken. However, despite everything, it is not possible to completely eliminate the human factor. In addition, we currently do not know whether the accident was human-induced. Therefore, our evaluations here should not contain definitive judgments. We are only discussing possibilities. There are two main options: either a human-induced error is involved, or there is a problem with automation or the system. If there is a problem with the system, it is necessary to determine exactly where this problem lies.”
The pressure effect of explosive material causes destruction
Noting that the biggest problem in such accidents is the pressure effect of the explosive material, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl stated, “This can cause horrific destruction. One of the most important measures taken in such facilities is the sparse construction of factories and workshops. This way, other facilities can remain intact.”
The explosion site resembles a battlefield
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl also said that the explosion site resembled a battlefield, stating, “As we saw in the Ukraine war, there is a picture similar to the destruction caused when a bomb is dropped. Here too, pyrotechnic materials and explosives are involved. This is not an ordinary explosive environment. The pressure effect of pyrotechnic explosives is much greater; it is generally 1000 atmospheres and above. Therefore, such explosions lead to horrific destruction.”
The destruction is so great that…
Explaining that in a natural gas explosion, a column would not be seen torn apart and thrown to the opposite building, but in this type of explosion, columns can be dislodged and thrown, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl concluded, “Therefore, it is quite natural not to see the machines inside. The destruction is so great that parts of the machines may either be completely shattered or buried under the rubble. To clearly see the machines and their parts, one needs to enter the wreckage.”
