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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 302099726 - Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas
Inspection Information - Office: Corpus Christi Area Office
Site Address:
Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas
201 Formosa Drive
Point Comfort, TX 77978
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 700, Point Comfort, TX 77978
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2821
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 01/21/1999
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 02/28/2000
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100210558 | ||
| Referral | 200210458 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $25,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25,000 |
| Current Penalty | $6,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,000 |
| 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 | Other | 19100119 D03 IB | 03/04/1999 | 03/17/1999 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100119 E03 I | 03/04/1999 | 03/17/1999 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100119 E03 IV | 03/04/1999 | 04/06/1999 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 4. | 01004 | Other | 19100119 J04 II | 03/04/1999 | 03/17/1999 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100165 B01 | 03/04/1999 | 03/17/1999 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On January 21, 1999, a dry ethylene dichloride (EDC) tank was being de-inventoried in preparation for a turnaround of the EDC unit. During the process, the tank exploded and a fire erupted. The explosion completely destroyed the tank and caused collateral damage to adjacent structures and equipment. Employees #1 through #13 and twenty-three coworkers suffered injuries and were transported to the hospital. Employees #1, 7, and 12 were admitted, although none of the injuries were considered serious. It is believed that the presence of a large vapor space, the presence of carry-over oxygen from the reactor, and the static discharge due to vortex agitation in the EDC were all factors contributing to the explosion.
Keywords: OXYGEN, STATIC ELECTRICITY, DISMANTLING, FIRE, EXPLOSION, TANK, REFINERY
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 302099726 | Hospitalized injury | Cut/Laceration | Chemical technicians | ||
| 2 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Cut/Laceration | Chemical technicians | ||
| 3 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Other | Chemical technicians | ||
| 4 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Cut/Laceration | Chemical technicians | ||
| 5 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Hearing Loss | Chemical technicians | ||
| 6 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians | ||
| 7 | 302099726 | Hospitalized injury | Foreign Body Ineye | Chemical technicians | ||
| 8 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Other | Chemical technicians | ||
| 9 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians | ||
| 10 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians | ||
| 11 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians | ||
| 12 | 302099726 | Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians | ||
| 13 | 302099726 | Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians | ||
| 14 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Chemical technicians | ||
| 15 | 302099726 | Non Hospitalized injury | Strain/Sprain | Chemical technicians |