Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Safety

CSB Video Urges Refinery Safety

by Jeff Johnson
April 11, 2011 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 89, Issue 15

[+]Enlarge
Credit: CSB
Fire at this Tesoro refinery killed seven workers one year ago.
Credit: CSB
Fire at this Tesoro refinery killed seven workers one year ago.

On the one-year anniversary of the Tesoro refinery accident that killed seven workers in Anacortes, Wash., the Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is urging the oil and gas production and refining industry to better manage its operations and improve safety. CSB also issued a brief video, on the April 2, 2010, Tesoro refinery accident and noted that the U.S. refining sector has a property loss rate three times higher than that of refineries operating in other countries. CSB Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso notes that the accident occurred during routine maintenance to bring a heat exchanger on-line when a nearly 40-year-old piece of equipment failed, spewing hydrogen and naphtha, which ignited and burned. Three workers were killed on the spot and four died later (C&EN, April 12, 2010, page 7). The company has been fined $2.39 million for “serious” and “willful” violations, the largest industrial safety fine ever levied by the state. Moure-Eraso urges refineries to implement robust mechanical integrity programs with frequent inspections and to maintain an open safety culture that encourages reporting and investigation of near-misses and loss-of-containment incidents.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.