TOSHA responds to third incident at Amaero plant amid ongoing investigation

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: Following the small fire on Tuesday, May 26, at the Amaero plant, Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) officials say investigations are conducted “as quickly as possible.”

According to TOSHA, facilities with multiple incidents may face a more intensive review. Officials also note that, in certain situations, hazards identified during inspections could lead to a shutdown via an emergency stop-work order.

TOSHA says all hazards are evaluated individually to determine whether such an order is necessary. If an emergency stop-work order is issued, employers are entitled to a hearing within 24 hours to challenge the order on its merits.

On enforcement, TOSHA states that penalties may be issued if violations of the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Act or adopted safety standards are found during an inspection.

The agency also clarifies that while it enforces workplace safety requirements, it does not have the authority to remove facility management or directly mandate new safety protocols beyond existing standards in Tennessee.

In terms of incident severity, TOSHA does not assign classifications but prioritizes investigations involving fatalities, hospitalizations, or amputations ahead of routine inspections.

Officials further emphasized that they cannot comment on ongoing inspections or disclose confidential trade secret information obtained during investigations, including details about materials used at facilities under review.

TOSHA says this incident is part of an ongoing investigation and subsequent events will be incorporated into that investigation.



PREVIOUS STORY: The Cleveland Fire Department responded to a small fire at the Amaero Advanced Materials and Manufacturing plant Tuesday.

A small flash fire occurred as Amaero employees were removing a PVC pipe damaged in a previous incident.

Employees had the fire under control before first responders arrived and there were no injuries.

“While they [employees] were trying [and] attempting to remove a PVC pipe, the pipe had a flash fire, and from that, there was still residual product in the pipe, and it's smoldering currently right now, and it'll eventually just go away,” said Troy Spence, director of Bradley County Emergency Management.

Two employees were injured in an explosion on May 13, and Cleveland Police said emergency crews responded to a small fire at the plant just a few days later, on May 16.
The plant will remain closed until experts and first responders deem it safe to resume operations.

“Unfortunately, the nature of manufacturing is accidents will happen,” said Hank Holland, the company’s chairman and CEO. “We will try to improve our processes and make this facility as safe as possible.”

Holland praised first responders for their assistance.

The company manufactures Titanium powder.

While the business does produce components for submarine systems used by the U.S. Navy, Holland said that side of the business was not involved in today’s incident.

Efforts to remove damaged PVC piping and replace it with stainless steel material were just a day away from completion, Holland said.

“[We are] looking to make some changes to the facility to mitigate and minimize any dust hazard damage, which is the primary issue of dealing with titanium powder,” Holland said. “Titanium powder is what we manufacture. A contractor removing some PVC pipe today is when the flare occurred.”

Local 3 reached out to the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) Tuesday afternoon to learn if any investigation will take place. There is already an ongoing investigation into the May 13 incident.



PREVIOUS STORY: On Tuesday, another explosion was reported at the Amaero Advanced Materials and Manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee, our partners at Mix 104.1 told Local 3.

There have been no reports of fire or injuries.



UPDATE: Two burned in Amaero explosion identified; TOSHA investigating

Authorities say there was no danger to the public.

First responders, including police and EMS, are at the site just after 11:00am on May 26.

Traffic is shut down at the Industrial Park.

Local 3 crews are headed to the site to learn more.

On May 13, a lithium battery exploded at the plant and severely burned two employees, who were taken to hospitals in Chattanooga and Georgia.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) is investigating the May 13 incident, which can take up to 180 days.

The Amaero plant makes composite materials for defense and aerospace.