Accident: Veolia Environmental Services Flammable Vapor Explosion and Fire
Location: Location: West Carrollton, OH
Accident Occurred On: 05/04/2009 | Final Report Released On: 07/21/2010
Accident Type: Flammable Vapor
Investigation Status: The CSB investigation was relased on July 21,2010.
On May 4, 2009, flammable vapors were suddenly released into the atmosphere. The vapors found an ignition source, leading to an explosion and fire that seriously injured two workers and damaged twenty residences.
Revise control room siting guidelines to reflect the diversity of characteristics that Class 1B flammable liquids can exhibit (e.g., heavy vapor, and plant areas that provide congestion and confinement).
Supersedes 2007-01-I-NC-R2, issued pursuant to EQ Hazardous Waste Plant Explosions and Fire
Petition the National Fire Protection Association, following the guidelines of their "Codes and Standards Development Process" (www.nfpa.org), to develop an occupancy standard specific to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The purpose of the standard would be to prescribe technical requirements for the safety to life and property from fire, explosion, and release; and to minimize the resulting damage from a fire, explosion, and release. At a minimum, but not limited to, the standard should address: • Hazard Identification • Chemical Fire and Release Protection and Prevention • Facility and Systems Design • Employee Training and Procedures • Inspection and Maintenance
Supersedes 2007-01-I-NC-R3, issued pursuant to EQ Hazardous Waste Plant Explosions and Fire
Develop and issue standardized guidance for the processing, handling and storage of hazardous waste to reduce the likelihood of fires, explosions, and releases at hazardous waste treatment storage and disposal facilities. Include the incident findings, consequences, conclusions, and recommendations from the CSB investigations of the Environmental Quality facility and the Veolia ES Technical Solutions.
Revise NFPA 30, Chapter 17, to include a section requiring a written engineering analysis to determine the safe separation distance for occupied buildings, control rooms, and operating areas. The analysis must be acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
During the rebuild of the plant, revise policy to restrict occupancy of non-essential personnel in buildings in close proximity to operating plants.
During the rebuild, design and install a closed relief system and develop a policy for safe venting (e.g., use of a flare) for relief systems to the atmosphere.
Conduct a process hazard analysis on all OSHA Process Safety Management covered processes to ensure all buildings and structures at the West Carrollton facility are located and designed in accordance with electrical classification and spacing as defined in NFPA 70.