An accident occurred this Monday, November 25, at 9:30 p.m. at NovAsco, formerly Ascometal, in Hagondange. Three employees were injured, two of them seriously. The accident occurred at the continuous casting level. While installing the ladle, the casting drawer opened, spilling molten steel onto the ground. The three men, aged 32, 23 and 22, were taken to the Mercy burn unit, near Metz. Their vital prognosis is not in jeopardy, but one of them had to be placed in an artificial coma.
According to Valérie Romilly, mayor of the town: “Three workers who were present were affected by splashes, despite their protective equipment. Two were seriously injured. The third has since been released from Mercy hospital. »
Laurent Ernst, first deputy of the municipality of Hagondange explains that he had discussions with the fire captain and the environment manager of NovAsco. They reported an explosion on the continuous casting ladle of the industrial site. According to him, three injured people were treated while suffering from serious injuries to the face and certain limbs. In the steel industry, molten metal flows at 1,500 degrees or more.
Extraordinary meeting of the CSSCT at 2 p.m.
An extraordinary meeting of the Health, Safety and Working Conditions Commission (CSSCT) of the company was held this Tuesday, November 26 at 2 p.m. “We are thinking of our injured colleagues and are calling for the establishment of a support unit regarding the obvious psychological effect on our other colleagues present,” indicates Alain Hilbold of the CFDT.
The first shift of the afternoon today (on which the accident occurred) was put in contact with psychologists. The same will be done this evening and tomorrow with the other two positions. After these meetings, management invites the steelworks employees to return home (supported by the company).
A new extraordinary CSE is scheduled for this Thursday, in which the subject of the opening of the factory should also be addressed for the days and weeks to come. To date, management can confirm the following points: the steelworks will not restart this week or next.
