At least two contractors have banned foam concrete containing IBA from all of their sites. The foam concrete is widely used in the construction industry. The worst of the explosions occurred at Mill Green, Hertfordshire where two workers sustained fractures to the ankle and foot.
The explosion was caused when foam concrete was placed into a dry well and extended beneath an existing metal floor. Hydrogen was produced by the concrete leading to the explosion the following morning when it was thought, a spark from a grinder and ignited the build up of gas.
Andy Dodman, The health and safety manager at Barhale said “Our investigation has concluded that the presence of aluminium particles in the IBA product generate hydrogen gas after the concrete mixing process. The use of foam concrete containing IBA is therefore no longer permitted by Barhale, only foam concrete mixes containing inert ingredients.”
Source: ContractJournal.com.
