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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 301405726 - Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office
Site Address:
Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Inc.
730 Battleground Road
Deer Park, TX 77536
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 600, Deer Park, TX 77536
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Referral
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 03/27/2000
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 08/29/2000
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 201921145 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Current Violations | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $15,300 | $0 | $0 | $900 | $0 | $16,200 |
| Current Penalty | $6,480 | $0 | $0 | $500 | $0 | $6,980 |
| 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. | 01001 | Serious | 19100119 F01 IC | 05/05/2000 | 08/31/2000 | $3,780 | $6,300 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002A | Serious | 19100119 G02 | 05/05/2000 | 09/30/2000 | $2,700 | $4,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01002B | Serious | 19100119 G03 | 05/05/2000 | 09/30/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01003 | Other | 19100119 L01 | 05/05/2000 | 06/22/2000 | $500 | $4,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 02001 | Other | 19100165 B01 | 05/05/2000 | 06/22/2000 | $0 | $900 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 6:20 p.m. on December 2, 1999, an explosion occurred at the Akzo Nobel Chemicals, Inc. Plant located in Deer Park, TX. This facility manufactures Aluminum Alkyls. The area of the explosion was the North TEAL I Area, which involves the MPR Unit (R-11 and R-400) and part of the North TEAL Unit (R-21, C-21, and C-400). The R-400 reactor was shut down so it could be cleaned out. The unit involved in this incident manufactured about 10 different Aluminum Alkyls. The last one manufactured in the R-400 reactor was diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H). Aluminum Alkyls react violently with water to form ethane gas. It ignites spontaneously on contact with air. In addition, it may decompose explosively when heated. The activity involved in the explosion was starting the agitator on the R-400 reactor.
Keywords: EXPLOSIVES, REACTOR, CLEANING, GAS, EXPLOSION, VALVE, CHEMICAL
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301405726 | Occupation Not Listed |