Washington — Chemical amenities ought to clearly mark pressure-retaining parts of plug valves and require new valves be designed to forestall the inadvertent elimination of these parts.
The Chemical Safety Board takes make these suggestions in a lately launched nine-minute video on a fatal July 2021 release of acetic acid on the LyondellBasell facility in La Porte, TX.
Two employees have been killed, one other was critically injured and 29 sought medical therapy after roughly 164,000 kilos of combination of the corrosive liquid have been unintentionally launched.
CSB revealed a closing report on the incident in May 2023. An company investigation decided that three contract employees assigned to restore a leaking pipe inadvertently eliminated fasteners holding a pressure-retaining valve cowl in place when making an attempt to isolate the pipe, which was positioned close to an acetic acid reactor.
Investigators concluded LyondellBasell lacked an in depth process on elimination of the valve actuator. Further, neither the employer nor the contractor educated employees on its secure elimination.
In the video, CSB investigator Benjamin Schrader says that making use of Prevention by means of Design rules for brand new plug valves is “the best way to address this type of incident.” For current valves, utilizing color-coded paint and warning indicators on pressure-retaining parts can result in simpler identification.
Additionally, CSB calls on amenities to advertise thorough coaching. Schrader mentioned conducting a danger evaluation might decide that depressurizing and de-inventorying gear is required earlier than eradicating components of a plug valve.
“Vital steps like these can go a long way in injury prevention and help save lives,” CSB member Sylvia Johnson says within the video.
