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2011 Slush Pile

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Alumunium Smelters use electricity

2011 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

I work at an alumunium smelter in east africa(mozambique) owned by a large minining company. Alumunium is extracted from the ore(bauzite) using an electrolytic process i.e. using large amounts of electricity. This is done in a vessel called a Pot where electricty is passed through and the aluminium forms. Situated near the tropic of capricorn, during december it gets extremely hot. Copious amounts of water are required to cool down and possibly in Pedro's case, maybe liquids of the more alchoholic nature(a fact never proven). So these POTS are situated in potlines...about a mile long building/shed. So Pedro needs to take a pee...and you an see where this is going! To cut a long story short, he ended up being flown to a specialised burns unit in South Africa and speant mnths recuperating. Being a plant where safety is important, the 'accident' was reviewed with everyone. Pictures of the urine marks on the POT components were clearly visible. After he was interviewed and realising the game was up, Pedro admitting to urinating on the live elecrical component(Buzbar) of the POT. His excuse 'I have done it many times before and everyone else does it!' Prior to the review, not many people discussed this particular accident. Pedro visited my department and seeing him bandaged like a mummy I felt quite sorry for him. I knew he got injured in the Potroom but did not ask details at the time. He was complaining that he could not return to work and would like to work in Information technology. Unfortunately, management decided 'his values' did not fit into the companies and decided he should leave. Why do I subit this for a darwin award rather than an honourable mention? Which body part do you think got friend first when his pee touched the live electrical buzbar?

Submitted on 11/01/2011

Submitted by: Etelvina
Reference: 13 December 2010

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Ouch! What a painful way to remove yourself from the gene pool while remaining otherwise intact. Thanks for sharing the story with us!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Ow ow ow... Liquids of any sort and electricity do not mix!

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