December 27, 2016 - Health Safety & Environment

Texas Tech University Chemistry Lab Explosion

December 27, 2016December 29, 2016 Maqbul

Accident Description
An explosion severely injured a graduate student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, in the chemistry department during the handling of a high-energy metal compound, which suddenly detonated. Texas Tech had entered into an agreement with Northeastern University, which holds a contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study the high-energy materials.

Investigation Status
The CSB’s investigation was released via webinar on October 19, 2011.

RECOMMENDATIONS

American Chemical Society (ACS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Texas Tech University

Oil Site Safety

December 27, 2016December 29, 2016 Maqbul

Accident Description
On April 13, 2010, the CSB released a safety video, entitled “No Place to Hang Out”. The video tells the story of the tragic deaths of 18-year-old Wade White and 16-year-old Devon Byrd, killed on October 31, 2009, when an oil tank, located in a clearing in the woods near the home of one of the boys in the town of Carnes, Mississippi, suddenly exploded. On April 14, 2010, a fiery explosion took the life of a 21-year-old member of the public in Weleetka, Oklahoma, at an unattended oil and gas production site that was unsecured and likely lacked fire or explosion warning signs.

Investigation Status
The CSB released its oil tank study at a news conference in Hattiesburg, MS on October 27, 2011.

RECOMMENDATIONS

American Petroleum Institute (API)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Mississippi State Oil & Gas Board

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Texas Railroad Commission (RRC)

Hoeganaes Corporation Fatal Flash Fires

December 27, 2016December 29, 2016 Maqbul

Accident Description
Three combustible dust incidents over a six month period occurred at the Hoeganaes facility in Gallatin, TN, resulting in fatal injuries to five workers. The facility produces powdered iron and is located about twenty miles outside of Nashville.

Investigation Status
The CSB’s investigation was approved by the board on December 16, 2011. The case study was released at a news conference in Nashville, TN, on January 5, 2012.

RECOMMENDATIONS

City of Gallatin, TN

City of Gallatin, TN Fire Department

Hoeganaes Corporation

International Code Council (ICC)

Metal Powders Producers Association (MPPA)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Tennessee Division of Occupational Safety & Health (TOSHA)

E. I. DuPont De Nemours Co. Fatal Hotwork Explosion

December 27, 2016December 29, 2016 Maqbul

Accident Description
Two contractors were performing welding atop a 10,000 gallon slurry tank when hot sparks ignited flammable vapors inside the tank, causing an explosion that killed one contractor and seriously injured another.

Investigation Status
The CSB Board Members unanimously approved the final report 3-0 at a public meeting in Buffalo, NY, on April 19, 2012.

RECOMMENDATIONS

E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company

Donaldson Enterprises, Inc. Fatal Fireworks Disassembly Explosion and Fire

December 27, 2016December 29, 2016 Maqbul

Accident Description
On April 8, an explosion occurred in a fireworks storage facility near Honolulu, Hawaii. According to media reports, the incident occurred in a bunker used to store confiscated fireworks at Donaldson Enterprises, Inc.

Investigation Status
The CSB’s final report was approved by a 3-0 vote at a public meeting in Washington, DC on January 17, 2013.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

Department of Treasury – Office of Procurement Executive (OPE)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture (TEOF)

VSE Corporation