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EPA/OSHA RELEASE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT ON SHELL
Release Date: 06/19/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1998
EPA/OSHA RELEASE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
REPORT ON SHELL
REPORT ON SHELL
EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a Joint Chemical Accident Investigation Report of the Shell Chemical Company, Deer Park, Texas facility. An explosion and fire took place at the Shell complex on June 22, 1997, resulting in injuries, public sheltering, closure of transportation routes and property damages both on site and off. The root causes of the accident included:
- •Lessons learned from prior incidents involving Clow check valves at Shell facilities were not adequately implemented;
•The Clow Model GMZ check valves installed in the Oflefin Plant Number III process gas compression system were not appropriately designed and manufactured for the heavy-duty service with which they were used;
•The process hazards analysis of the process gas compression system was inadequate;
•Measures necessary to maintain the mechanical integrity of the check valves were not taken;
•Operating procedures for the start up of the process gas compression system were not adequate.
The report makes recommendations to prevent future incidents. Although EPA will continue to have a role in accident investigation and prevention of chemical accidents, the recently funded Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is now operational. The Board has responsibilities for chemical accident investigations. However, EPA is committed to completing investigations initiated prior to the funding of the Board. The report can be accessed on the Internet at: https://www.epa.gov/ceppo/acc-his.html. Copies of the report also can be obtained by calling NCEPI at 1-800-490-9198.
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