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Veolia Environmental Services Flammable Vapor Explosion and Fire

Location: West Carrollton, OH
May 04, 2009
Company Name: Veolia Environmental Services

Veolia Environmental Services Flammable Vapor Explosion and Fire

Veolia Environmental Services Flammable Vapor Explosion and Fire

Accident Description

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.

View Investigation Information

Recommendations

Veolia ES Technical Solutions

2010-10-I-OH-1

During the rebuild of the plant, revise policy to restrict occupancy of non-essential personnel in buildings in close proximity to operating plants.
Status: O-ARAR

2010-10-I-OH-2

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.
Status: O-ARAR

2010-10-I-OH-3

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.
Status: O-ARAR

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

2010-10-I-OH-4

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.
Status: O-ARE/AR

Center for Chemical Process Safety

2010-10-I-OH-5

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).
Status: O-ARAR

Environmental Technology Council

2010-10-I-OH-6

Supersedes 2007-01-I-NC-R2
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

Status: O-ARAR

2010-10-I-OH-7

Supersedes 2007-01-I-NC-R3
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.

Status: O-ARAR

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