"The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that the ITC tank farm lacked crucial equipment to warn workers about the failure that led to the three-day fire."
"A massive Houston-area chemical fire that burned for three days in 2019 could have been prevented if proper procedures were in place at the chemical storage facility run by the Intercontinental Terminals Co., according to an investigation released Thursday by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
The report found that tank 80-8, where the fire began before it spread to nearby tanks containing dangerous chemicals, was not equipped with a flammable-gas detection system to warn personnel if something was wrong and was not equipped with emergency isolation valves designed to contain hazardous chemicals in the event that a system fails, a safety protocol recommended by regulators.
The board found that “because of gaps in relevant regulations,” some tanks weren’t subject to rules by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and ITC was not required to implement some of the safety rules that could have prevented the fire.
The CSB is recommending that the company implement additional safety measures, including installing sensors that can spot problems with pumps as well as gas detection systems that can sound an alarm when something goes wrong. The board, whose members are appointed by the president, does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies."
Alejandra Martinez reports for the Texas Tribune July 6, 2023.
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