Worker injured by blow torch while dismantling crane at EMR Camden.
A worker at EMR, a scrap metal processing facility in Camden County, sustained severe injuries recently while dismantling a crane for metal recycling. Fire department reports indicate the incident, which occurred on July 18, involved a blowtorch, resulting in life-threatening injuries that necessitated the worker’s hospitalization. Fortunately, he has since stabilized and is currently recovering.
The injury underscores ongoing safety concerns at EMR, which had just begun a phased reopening following a series of fires at the facility. Less than a week prior to the incident, a judge had authorized EMR to resume operations after the company challenged the city of Camden’s decision to suspend its activities due to safety violations. This resurgence in operations comes amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny surrounding occupational safety protocols within the recycling and waste management industries.
According to eyewitness accounts and Camden Fire Department records, the injured worker was found lying on a stretcher with an oxygen-acetylene blowtorch handle penetrating his left bicep and torso. The arrival of Battalion Chief Ezequiel Tirado initiated a rapid emergency response. Another worker on the scene, who does not speak English, also exhibited facial injuries and was reluctant to seek medical attention, expressing concerns about his undocumented status.
Tirado described the incident site as poorly lit, cluttered with debris and hazardous conditions that could have contributed to the accident. Emergency personnel reported discovering a significant pool of blood near the crane, raising further questions about safety practices in place during operations at the facility.
EMR’s nighttime operations manager, William Scott, commented that the injured workers were subcontractors engaged in the disassembly of the crane, not direct employees of EMR. He confirmed that the team was utilizing a cutting torch to perform their tasks. Joe Balzano, EMR’s CEO, expressed relief at the injured worker’s recovery, highlighting the unfortunate nature of workplace incidents within heavy industry.
Camden County spokesperson Dan Keashen confirmed that the investigation into the incident remains active. Such workplace injuries call attention to the critical importance of maintaining stringent safety measures and the need for effective communication and training among workers engaged in hazardous tasks, particularly within high-risk environments such as metal recycling. The incident at EMR serves as a reminder of the potential dangers inherent in industrial work, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance to prevent future accidents.
This latest case reiterates the persistent challenges faced by the industry and the importance of safeguarding the well-being of all workers involved, regardless of their employment status.
