Posts Tagged ‘ gas leak ’

Important Notes Taken From DuPont Gas Leak

DuPont recently reported the causes of methyl chloride leak from the phosgene unit in last January at its West Virginia chemical plant, which caused one worker died. Phosgene is a hazardous chemical used for manufacturing of pesticide and plastic that can damage the respiratory system.

According to DuPont report that was published in businessweek.com, the causes of the gas leak were aging hoses, corrosion and pressure build up in the line. Combination of these factors had caused hoses failed to function properly. (more…)

Tags: Occupational safety and health, Force Majeure, plant operation, several times, Virginia chemical plant

Potential Hazards in Chemical Industries

The Most Common Potential Hazards in Chemical Industries

By Lukman Nulhakiem

If we talk about potential hazards in chemical industries, there will be long discussion about that matter. Although one chemical plant has similar nature with one another, but each plant comes with its unique hazards.

In this article, I will write about potential hazards in chemical industries in general which is in turn it can be used as inputs for preparing hazard identification work for your own plant site. This is very important mainly for companies which have not determined hazards list within their plant sites yet.

As a reminder, I recommend you to read my previous article about hazard identification study as well as hazard control methods if you have never experienced in making hazard list for your plant. (more…)

Tags: nature potential hazards, oxygen deficiency, similar nature, natural gas purge, plant accident, important thing, dust explosion

Combustible Gas Detectors – Overview

Combustible gas detectors are ones of the basic safety equipments required when there is combustible gas inside the plant site. Auto-ignition temperature and Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) describe the potential dangers of combustible gases.

Auto-ignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which combustible gas could be ignited spontaneously (self-sustained combustion), without the presence of source of ignition. Meanwhile, Lower Explosive Limit or LEL is the lowest concentration of combustible gas in the air that will propagate flame when exposed to a source of ignition.

There are two types of combustible gas detectors in market. The first type is electrocatalytic (catalytic bead), which is also referred to passive type of gas detector. The second type is infrared detector, which uses infrared absorption as detecting technology. It is the active type. (more…)

Tags: combustible gas detectors, Combustible Gas Leak, carbon monoxide, single point

What Are The Dangers of Chemical Spills?

“What are the dangers of chemical spills?” You may ask that question whenever you are trying to identify hazards associated with hazardous chemical spills.

With many hazardous chemicals presence in plant site, chemical spill hazards are much more likely to happen. Spills of acids, bases, highly flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, reactive substances, oxidizing agents and other hazardous chemicals can present real hazards to workers and environment.

Chemical spills can occur at production site, from a storage tank, warehouse area where chemicals are stored, during transportation, at the laboratory or during transferring operation. It means that chemical spills hazards have to be identified at these workplaces and activities. (more…)

Tags: several factors, Toxic gas, spill volume, food plant, spilled chemicals

Chemical Plant Accident Statistic in December 2009

In December 2009, I noted a chemical plant accident in China, which caused 3 people died. The accident occurred when workers were handling carbon black.

Another accident that grabbed my attention was toxic gas leak (hydrogen sulfide, H2S) that caused 1 engineer died at Thai Rayon Public Co. Limited, Thailand.

To read more accidents that happened in December 2009, please click the following links. (more…)

Tags: Industrial disasters, Chemical Plant Glycerin, hydrogen sulfide

Chemical Plant Accident Record in September 2009

plant-accident-record Below here is some accidents news that I read in September 2009. It is my strong intention to post about this to provide you with real safety problems and then you could extract some important points from these news in order to improve your workplace safety.

18 Dead Caused by Chemical Unloading Explosion in China

Chemical Fire at Fuel Storage Facility in US (more…)

Tags: Sunoco Chemical Plant, steam pipe, carbon dioxide, Basic Chemicals

Chemical Plant Accidents in July 2009

I read at least 16 accidents news story in July, where most of the plant accidents were fire accidents. The other reasons were chemical leakage, construction accident and falling accident. Here is the list:

Chemical Fire during the Process of Tank Cleaning

Evacuation after Toxic Ethyl Acrylate Fumes Released

Electrical Short Caused Fire at Chemical Plant

Plant Leaked, Released Strong Ammonia Smell

Flash Fire Caused One Man Died

Flash Fire Occurred at a Chemical Unloading Area, One Man Dead

Hexane Fumes Caused One Man Died

Falling Accident at Industrial Area, One Man Died

Construction Accident in Tennessee, 2 Workers Crushed

Chlorine Gas Leaked Forced Water Filtration Plant Shut Down

Wet Concrete Spilled on top of Workers at a Construction Site

Ammonia Leak from a Chemical Plant Caused a Woman Died