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CASE STUDY ON OKLAHOMA CHEMICAL EXPLOSION
Release Date: 04/13/2000
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2000
CASE STUDY ON OKLAHOMA CHEMICAL EXPLOSION
Based on its review of the March 26, 1997 explosion and fire at the Chief Supply Corporation in Haskell, Okla., EPA today released a case study “Prevention of Reactive Chemical Explosions,” on the dangers of waste fuel blending operations. The accident killed one worker, injured two others, and caused extensive damage to the facility. Although the study, does not identify the exact cause of the accident, the potential for such an incident exists whenever strong oxidizers are mixed with oxidizable and combustible organic substances. EPA identifies lessons learned in hopes that other facilities will profit from these past mistakes and prevent them from happening in the future. A copy of the case study is available at: https://www.epa.gov/ceppo. Pointers include:
- Facilities must ensure that all chemical processing hazards and their consequences are evaluated, understood and appropriately addressed and controlled.
- Facility management needs to foster open communication with all levels of employees about hazard awareness and lessons learned, and take immediate action to address concerns raised by workers.
- The steps for safe start-up, shutdown, routine operation, emergencies and maintenance must be documented in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These SOPs must be understood, periodically reviewed and kept up-to-date.
- Facilities must ensure that employees are trained in their job responsibilities. Facility managers should also ensure that failures are recognized, evaluated and addressed.
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