UPDATE - February 11, 2014, 5:30 pm
Wednesday's Schedule
All work shifts (1st, 2nd and 3rd) have been canceled for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 12, with the goal of resuming operations on Thursday in select departments, including component fabrication, component fabrication support groups, and office personnel. We expect to post further updates on this page throughout the day on Wednesday.
Support available through the Employee Assistance Program
On Wednesday, February 12, NHBB is offering counseling through the Employee Assistance Program at the satellite training facility at 375 Jaffrey Road from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. NHBB is encouraging those affected to take advantage of this program.
Appointments are not necessary.
UPDATE - February 11, 2014, 3:10 pm
The Peterborough facility will not resume manufacturing operations during today’s 2nd and 3rd shifts. NHBB executives, along with state and local officials, continue to assess the situation and plan on making a determination regarding tomorrow's first shift later in the day.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 7:59 am - NHBB's Statement Concerning Explosion at Peterborough, NH Facility
As was reported yesterday, the Peterborough facility of New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. experienced an explosion in the bottom floor at approximately 3:30 pm on Monday, February 10, 2014.
As of yesterday afternoon, all employees have been accounted for. There have been conflicting reports in the media about the number of people who were hurt. Our understanding is that 14 people were injured and taken to the local hospital. As of 7:45 pm last night, 12 patients were treated and released. Two employees were treated and transferred to other hospitals which are better equipped to care for their specific needs.
Within hours, we heard from our neighbors, our community, our local government officials, our parent company, our customers, and many others, requesting to help us in any way possible. We ask that all of you keep our employees and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Our first and primary concern is for them.
All of us at NHBB are grateful beyond words for the response we received from our NH emergency teams: ambulance/rescue crews, fire crews, local and state police, Hazmat teams, OSHA officials, fire investigators, and many others. The response was overwhelming, immediate, and complete.
Responding departments have spent the night in frigid temperatures investigating the explosion but, as of this writing, the specific cause has not yet been determined.
Power and heat have been restored in all but the affected areas. However, e-mail communication has been interrupted.
The facility will be closed at least through the first shift on Tuesday as we assess both the cause of the explosion and the building’s safety. We will not have our employees return to work until both NH state officials and NHBB's management team are convinced beyond any doubt that everyone will be safe.
NHBB is so fortunate to be a member of such a wonderful community. Thank you.
We will update our website as further information becomes available. www.nhbb.com.
