Safety board to urge US refinery, chemical changes

23 March 2006 16:24  [Source: ICIS news]

WASHINGTON (ICIS news)--The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) said on Thursday its year-old investigation of the fatal BP refinery blast in Texas will include new safety actions for refiners and chemical plants when it is issued later this year.

 

In a statement issued on the one-year anniversary of the 23 March 2005 explosion and fire at BP’s Texas City facility that killed 15 workers and injured 170 others, CSB did not provide details of the anticipated safety recommendations but suggested they will deal with process systems design and personnel shelters.

 

CSB said the BP Texas City accident occurred during startup of the refinery’s isomerization unit, when a distillation tower was overfilled, flooding a nearby blowdown drum with flammable liquid.

 

“The resulting geyser-like release from an atmospheric vent stack led to a series of explosions that killed and injured workers in nearby trailers,” CSB said.

 

CSB chairwoman Carolyn Merritt said the BP accident has already demonstrated that “There is a heightened need for corporate responsibility, sound operating practices and equipment, and vigorous enforcement of needed regulations.”

 

Merritt commended BP for committing to remove antiquated blowdown drums from all its US refineries and for developing an improved siting policy for trailers.  “I urge all oil and chemical companies to consider similar actions, if they have not already done so,” she said.

 

In the wake of the accident, CSB called on BP to convene an independent investigative panel to review the company’s safety culture at all of its US facilities.  That panel, headed by former US secretary of state James Baker, has held three public hearings and is expected to produce a public report this year.

 

CSB said its investigation of the accident has cost nearly $2m (Euro1.7m) and is not yet complete.  CSB said it expects to issue a comprehensive report to the public late this year.

By: Joe Kamalick
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