Sarnia-based AlumaPower Corporation has been fined $90,000 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in a 2023 workplace explosion that injured three workers.
The company has pleaded guilty in provincial offenses court in Sarnia and the Crown applied a mandatory 25 per cent victim fine surcharge.
AlumaPower, located at 235 Henry Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation, develops, fabricates, and tests a type of experimental technology used to produce electricity.
On November 14, 2023, workers were testing a four-cell aluminum-air galvanic generator on site.
In a news release, the Ontario government said the equipment produces electricity through a chemical reaction and releases highly flammable hydrogen gas as part of the process.
The testing took place inside a large, enclosed fume hood but, during testing, workers noticed hydrogen gas was not venting as intended through a small water-filled tube.
Hydrogen built up inside the enclosed space and there was an explosion inside the fume hood, injuring the employees.
The province said the space also contained several potential ignition sources and did not meet required safety standards.
All three workers have recovered from their injuries and are back on the job.
An investigation by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development found the testing process was not carried out in an area designed or rated for the hazard.
In November 2023, the ministry issued four requirements and four orders to AlumaPower Corporation although specifics weren't released.
