Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1448049.015 - Tpc Group Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 1:00 a.m. on November 27, 2019, Employee #1, a production worker, and Employee #2, a supervisor, were working in the control room of a petrochemical manufacturing facility. One employee was in the control room (Building# 15) and the other employee was outside the control room. The narrative does not specify whether it was Employee #1 or Employee #2 outside the control room. Employee #3, a security guard (contractor), was in the Security Operations Center (SOC). A fire and explosion occurred in the south processing unit (S4 group) causing a heat transfer to the butadiene storage sphere tank 34 and the NMP tanks 72 and 73. These tanks exploded as well injuring all three employees. Employee #1 reportedly inhaled chemical vapors, Employee #2 was struck by the pressure wave and flying debris and lacerated his leg and Employee #3 also reportedly inhaled chemicals vapors and was struck by the pressure wave and building debris and fractured her wrist. All three employees were hospitalized.

Keywords: Building, Chemical, Chemical Exposure, Chemical Reaction, Chemical Vapor, Debris, Explosion, Fire, Flammable Vapors, Flying Object, Fracture, Gas, Heat, High Pressure, High Temperature, Inhalation, Laceration, Leg, Lung, Metal, Pressure, Process Safety, Security Guard, Storage Tank, Struck Against, Struck By, Supervisor, Tank, Vapor, Wrist