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April 17, 2022

RELEASE OF TOXIC LIQUID THROUGH STEAM COIL LINE GASKET LEAK

 Incident
A release of toxic liquid (containing arsenic trioxide) from a storage tank occurred following the shutdown of a chemical plant. The release occurred from a steam coil passing through a storage tank used to store the solution during the shutdown. The release flowed into a surface-drainage system,through a series of secondary catchment sumps and ponds, into Cockburn Sound.
Cause
An investigation into the incident has identified that the toxic liquid was released through a hole in a gasket of a flange. The flange was located on the steam coil pipework within the tank. It was found that the steam-line terminated outside the bunded area in a partially-covered surface-drainage system.
Consequences
To prevent a recurrence, all steam-lines within the plant were cut to ensure that they terminated within the bunded area. The company has also decommissioned the plant and will commission a new plant that does not utilise arsenic compounds.

Source: Department of Minerals and Energy, Australia 

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