PACIFIC STEEL TOXIC RELEASE 2015

There was a chlorine release at Pacific Steel recycling plant. The gas came from a cylinder that workers were crushing for scrap metal. Evacuation of 17 buildings inside an industrial park Proximate causes: • Lack of knowledge of hazards present • Inadequate training effort • Lack of policies/standards/procedures for the task Source: A web-based collectionContinue reading “PACIFIC STEEL TOXIC RELEASE 2015”

RIGONI EXPLOSION 2014

An explosion in a chemical facility. A gas cloud was seen above the area immediately after the explosion. Damaged about 20 buildings and left a crater in the facility’s backyard Proximate causes: • Inadequate tools, equipment & vehicles • Inadequate engineering/design Source: A web-based collection and analysis of process safety incidents (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950423016302285) Image Credit: Unidentified

Honeywell Toxic Releases 2003

On July 20, a chlorine cooler at the Baton Rouge plant failed, leaking chlorine into the Genetron 143a refrigerant (G-143a) coolant system. The coolant system itself then failed, releasing chlorine to the atmosphere, which overwhelmed operators located both inside and outside the control room and caused them to leave the area. Seven plant workers wereContinue reading “Honeywell Toxic Releases 2003”

MGPI Processing Toxic Release 2016

On October 21, 2016, a chemical release occurred at the MGPI Processing plant in Atchison, Kansas. MGPI Processing produces distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. The release occurred when a chemical delivery truck, owned and operated by Harcros Chemicals, was inadvertently connected to a tank containing incompatible material. The plume generated by theContinue reading “MGPI Processing Toxic Release 2016”

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