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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1317675.015 - Kuraray America, Inc
Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office
Site Address:
Kuraray America, Inc
11500 Bay Area Blvd.
Pasadena, TX 77507
Mailing Address:
11500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena, TX 77507
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 325180
Inspection Type: Unprog Rel
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 11/08/2018
Emphasis: N:Chemnep
Case Closed: 05/12/2023
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 1340695 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1318150 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1317992 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1318024 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1325915 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1318170 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1318037 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1318160 | Yes | |
| Inspection | 1318127 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
| Current Violations | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $69,846 | $0 | $0 | $933 | $0 | $70,779 |
| Current Penalty | $64,205 | $0 | $0 | $933 | $0 | $65,138 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001A | Serious | 19100119 E01 | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $11,641 | $11,641 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01001B | Serious | 19100119 E03 I | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01002A | Serious | 19100119 E05 | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $11,641 | $11,641 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01002B | Serious | 19100119 D03 II | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 01003A | Serious | 19100119 F01 II | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $6,000 | $11,641 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 01003B | Serious | 19100119 F01 II A | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 7. | 01003C | Serious | 19100119 F01 II B | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 8. | 01004A | Serious | 19100119 F04 | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $11,641 | $11,641 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 9. | 01004B | Serious | 19100119 H02 IV | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 10. | 01005 | Serious | 19100119 H02 II | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $11,641 | $11,641 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 11. | 01006A | Serious | 19100119 L01 | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $11,641 | $11,641 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 12. | 01006B | Serious | 19100119 F03 | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 13. | 01007 | Other | 19100119 M03 | 11/14/2018 | 12/19/2018 | $933 | $933 | $0 | 11/21/2018 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
At 10:15 a.m. on May 19, 2018, employees were completing welding projects with a pickup truck near a reactor. The reactor was charged with ethylene and heated. Expansion of ethylene increased the pressure in reactor, exceeding the setpoint of the relief valve. The relief valve opened and vented ethylene to atmosphere where it was then ignited by the welding projects going on nearby. The flash fire resulted in 21 employees being hospitalized for burns, bruises, and cuts. Another 150 employees were injured but were not hospitalized.
Keywords: Burn, Chemical, Chemical Reaction, Fire, Pressure Release, Reactor
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1317675.015 | 42 | M | Hospitalized injury | Insulation Workers |