Image: AIM Recycling Saint John Facebook page.
Saint John council is pressing provincial and federal officials to ensure American Iron & Metal upholds higher safety standards after several recent explosions at its port-side location.
Councillors expressed concern that repeated explosions at the site posed safety concerns to residents and employees.
Mayor Don Darling had prepared a letter to be sent to federal and provincial ministers, area MLAs, MP Wayne Long, and Port Saint John authorities before another explosion Monday afternoon forced AIM to temporarily shut down operations.
“It’s not anti-industry, not trying to put anyone out of a job, but simply trying to have conditions present where we can thrive and grow and people can live in co-existence with industry,” Darling said.
The letter specifically calls for AIM to ensure all accelerants have been separated and removed before raw materials are shipped. Darling said if AIM were following that rule there wouldn’t be explosions at the port.
Councillor David Hickey expressed support for the motion, which he said sends a strong message to Saint Johners.
“We deserve better. We can’t sit by and allow this kind of attitude, and this kind of disregard for authority… to take place by industry,” the councillor said.
The motion calls for ‘meaningful fines’ and a 24-hour shutdown for any future explosions.
There is no official word on how long the AIM shutdown will last, though it can’t resume operation until all issues are resolved with the Department of Environment and the city’s fire department.
