Three Workers in Quebec Die in Explosion

March 3, 2000
Three employees at a vehicle testing plant in Quebec, Canada were killed Wednesday after a giant tank of compressed air exploded while they were preparing a vehicle for safety tests.

Three employees in Blainville, Quebec, were killed Wednesday after a giant tank of compressed air exploded while they were preparing a vehcile for safety tests.

Two of the men were decapitated in the powerful explosion of the 1,500-kilogram tank at PMG Technologies, said Albert Stringer, Blainville's director of public security.

"There were even bits of the vehicle that reached the ceiling. I haven't seen an accident like this in the 21 years I have been here," said Stringer.

The men were engineers and technical assistants who worked at the plant, which tests vehicles to comply with federal safety standards.

Officials at a news conference said that the explosion was caused by compressed air.

Three men were in the process of using it when the tank exploded, Stringer said.

Company vice-president Gilles Marleau refused to say what caused the blast or whether a tank exploded.

Marleau said up to eight people were treated for shock at a hospital in nearby St.-Jerome, but Stringer said the number was closer to 20.

The company, which has 50 employees, used to be the site of a Transport Canada facility. The plant has been privately owned since 1996.

Marleau said he did not know whether the company would suspend activities.

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!