One Employee Is Killed and One Is Injured in Leak Test

 On July 14, 2009, Employees #1 and #2 were performing a pneumatic test to verify leak tightness of a new meter station at the Midcontinent Express Pipeline. The test medium was nitrogen gas, and the system being tested included piping and two pressure vessels. Numerous leaks were found in the system during the test. The system reached the required test pressure of 2225 psig at approximately 3:25 p.m., and Employee #1 observed that the pressure on the system had dropped to 2205 by approximately 3:30p.m. Employee #1 was then replaced at the test table by Employee #2. As Employee #1 walked away from the test table, the door on the PECO separator (a pressure vessel) blew off, releasing pressurized nitrogen gas that sent projectiles flying. Employee #2 was killed, and Employee #1 suffered burns and was hospitalized. 

 Source: OSHA.gov

Water Samples Tested After Maine Firefighting Foam Spill, Below Guidelines for Dangerous Chemicals

 Water Samples Tested After Maine Firefighting Foam Spill, Below Guidelines for Dangerous Chemicals.

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Worst Manufacturing Incidents in the U.S. And the lessons we learned to prevent history from repeating itself.

 Worst Manufacturing Incidents in the U.S.

And the lessons we learned to prevent history from repeating itself.

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THE BHOPAL DISASTER AND ITS AFTERMATH -A REVIEW

 https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-4-6

40 years after Bhopal toxic gas leak, suffering continues

"A December 1984 toxic gas leak in Bhopal, India killed and maimed thousands and led to chronic health problems. Survivors of the tragedy—which has been called the worst industrial accident ever—came to Harvard Chan School on Sept. 23 as part of a U.S. tour to share their stories and to build support for activities related to the 40th anniversary."

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The explosion of 1948

 "The clock at Gate 1 stopped at 3:43 p.m. The explosion that shook the BASF site in Ludwigshafen at this time on July 28, 1948 wrought unthinkable destruction in a place that was still being rebuilt following the Second World War and which was still under French occupation three years after the end of the war. The disaster created a widespread stir as a result of extensive international press coverage. Similarly, aid also came from virtually all over the world after the explosion, and soldiers from both the French and the adjacent American occupation zones immediately made their way to the site to assist."

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Are you controlling and venting reactors safely?

An employee was cleaning the chemical reactor with a flammable mixture of solvents when the reactor burst its rupture disc and the mixture was expelled into the plant. The solvent ignited and the vapor cloud explosion resulted in the plant's 43 employees being injured by flying debris and/or being thrown by the force of the explosion. The employee and two others died from the explosion. Many were injured. 

It appeared that the reactor was not vented to a safe location and had primitive temperature controls, and the company did not enforce the mandatory attendance of operators at the reactors during operation. All of these factors, including minimal operating procedures (none specifically for cleaning), led to the explosion and the resulting extensive injuries and property damage.

Source: Osha.gov

Employee dies of cardiac arrest after spalsh of chemical from an open drain

Employee #1 was placing the #6 water condenser back on line, leaving the drain valve open while he opened a valve under the condenser. Hydrofluoric acid suddenly drained into the catch basin/drain system, and splashed the employee. He suffered first- and second-degree burns and later died of cardiac arrest. 

Siurce: OSHA.gov