Category: Accidents

Incident Description
Three accidents involving methanol which injured children during lab demonstrations are examined by the CSB. All the incidents involved demonstrations of flames – usually with a color additive – using methanol as the flammable liquid. In all three cases there was a flash back to the methanol bulk containers, and fire engulfed members of the viewing audience who were not protected by any physical barriers.

Investigation Status
The CSB’s safety bulletin was released at a news conference in Denver, CO on October 30, 2014.

A safety message reminding teachers, staff, and school administrators about the hazards of using flammable materials, such as methanol, during classroom science demonstrations.

 FINAL REPORT: Back to School Safety Alert
 FINAL REPORT: Key Lessons for Preventing Incidents from Flammable Chemicals in Educational Demonstrations

Incident Description
On November 22, 2016, an isobutane release occurred in the sulfuric acid alkylation unit at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana which resulted in four serious injuries to workers and injured two others. The incident occurred during minor maintenance on a flammable isobutane line which failed, releasing isobutane into the unit which ignited. 

Investigation Status
The CSB’s final report was released at a pubic business meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 18.

A CSB safety video about the November 22, 2016, fire at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge, LA, that severely burned four workers.

 

Accident Description
On the evening of December 3, a storage tank failed catastrophically at the Marcus Oil and Chemical polyethylene wax facility in Houston. The blast, which was felt up to 20 miles from the plant site, ignited large fires that burned for several hours, and two firefighters were injured during the emergency response. Off-site buildings near the facility – including two churches, a house, and a social club – exhibited structural damage, such as broken windows and cracked walls.

Investigation Status
The CSB issued a case study report on this incident at a news conference in Houston on June 6, 2006.         

Accident Description
A forklift towing a trailer collided with a line containing highly flammable liquid propylene, causing a release and a vapor cloud explosion. Sixteen workers were injured, the process unit was heavily damaged, and a nearby school was evacuated

Investigation Status
The CSB issued a case study report about this incident at a news conference in Houston on July 20, 2006.         

Accident Description
Two contract employees were overcome and fatally injured by nitrogen as they performed maintenance work near a 24-inch opening on the top of a reactor. One of the workers died attempting rescue.

Investigation Status
The CSB issue a case study report and a safety video based on this incident at a news conference in Newark, Delaware, on November 2, 2006.