A 34-year-old man has received serious burns in an industrial accident in Hobart early this morning.
Tasmanian Police said the man, who is an employee at Hobart's Nyrstar zinc smelter, was injured in a suspected explosion about 1:00am Sunday.
He is listed as being in a critical condition and is being treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
The Belgian-owned century-old Hobart smelter is one of the world's largest zinc smelters and employs about 600 people.
The incident has been referred to Worksafe Tasmania.
In a statement, Nyrstar said there was "nothing Nyrstar places higher value on than the health and safety of its workforce".
"Early this morning, an incident occurred at Nyrstar Hobart in the electrolysis department resulting in a worker receiving significant burns.
"The worker is currently in hospital receiving medical treatment.
"There is nothing Nyrstar places higher value on than the health and safety of its workforce and support is being provided for the co-workers and family of the injured worker.
"Nyrstar is working closely with all relevant authorities in addition to its own investigation."
