Court convicts Geological Survey and manager after nitrogen explosion

The Geological Survey of Finland and the manager of its pilot plant in Outokumpu have been convicted of an occupational safety offence after a liquid nitrogen accident, Yle reports. The North Karelia District Court imposed a corporate fine of 30,000 euros on the agency and fined the manager.

The accident happened in May 2024, when an employee was handling liquid nitrogen at around minus 200 degrees Celsius. As the employee poured nitrogen from a container into a jug, the jug exploded, making a loud bang. Nitrogen spilled onto the floor and damaged the plastic flooring.

The employee developed tinnitus after the bang, but it soon passed. The employee was not splashed with nitrogen and suffered no lasting injuries.

A workplace safety inspector’s investigation found that the agency had not assessed the hazards chemicals used in its research could pose to employees. It had also failed to produce the written risk assessment required by law.

The court found that the manufacturer’s chemical safety data sheets, staff training and discussions about protective equipment did not replace a systematic, written assessment of chemical risks.

The pilot plant manager, who denied committing an offence, was fined 25 day-fines, amounting to about 1,400 euros. The agency’s director general, Saku Vuori, said the accident was regrettable and that the organisation would improve its procedures to prevent similar incidents. The rulings are not final.