Both federal OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are investigating a series of incidents at a DuPont Co. plant in West Virginia, including a chemical leak that resulted in the death of a longtime DuPont worker. After discovering three leaks in just two days, the company was forced to shut down. One leak, which released about 1,900 pounds of hazardous methyl chloride, went unnoticed for 5 days.Roger Hess, DuPont's spokesman, said Monday that officials decided to temporarily cease operations because "we had three incidents that happened in succession." Hess also added that the decision to cease production was made so workers and management could review operating and safety procedures. Production at the company won't resume until the review is complete.
One of the leaks resulted in 58-year-old Carl Fish's, a 32-year DuPont employee, death. He was exposed to the chemical
phosgene on Saturday and passed away on Sunday. "Phosgene is used to make plastics and pesticides, and can damage the respiratory system (abc.com)." The chemical was used as a weapon during World War I and caused the large majority of deaths from gas warfare in that conflict, the Centers for Disease Control said on its Web site. Reports indicated that the other two leaks at the DuPont involved a methyl chloride leak and a sulfuric acid leak.
Leni Fortson, a spokeswoman for OSHA, said OSHA initiated an investigation Monday following the three chemical leaks in quick succession at the DuPont site in Belle, W.Va. Fortson also said that although investigators are initially focusing on the recent leaks, the investigation could expand the scope of their inquiry to examine conditions at the entire plant. The Chemical Safety Board is also sending a four member team to investigate the accidents. "The chemical board said DuPont told its investigators that a braided steel hose connected to a one-ton capacity phosgene tank ruptured, exposing Fish to the chemical (delawareonline.com)." The CSB also noted that the board is aware of six earlier leaks at the DuPont plant since 2006 (abc.com).
One of the leaks resulted in 58-year-old Carl Fish's, a 32-year DuPont employee, death. He was exposed to the chemical
phosgene on Saturday and passed away on Sunday. "Phosgene is used to make plastics and pesticides, and can damage the respiratory system (abc.com)." The chemical was used as a weapon during World War I and caused the large majority of deaths from gas warfare in that conflict, the Centers for Disease Control said on its Web site. Reports indicated that the other two leaks at the DuPont involved a methyl chloride leak and a sulfuric acid leak.Leni Fortson, a spokeswoman for OSHA, said OSHA initiated an investigation Monday following the three chemical leaks in quick succession at the DuPont site in Belle, W.Va. Fortson also said that although investigators are initially focusing on the recent leaks, the investigation could expand the scope of their inquiry to examine conditions at the entire plant. The Chemical Safety Board is also sending a four member team to investigate the accidents. "The chemical board said DuPont told its investigators that a braided steel hose connected to a one-ton capacity phosgene tank ruptured, exposing Fish to the chemical (delawareonline.com)." The CSB also noted that the board is aware of six earlier leaks at the DuPont plant since 2006 (abc.com).
Sources:
Eder, Andrew. "DuPont plant faces inquiries." DelawareOnline.com. The News Journal, 26 Jan. 2010. Web.
"W.Va. DuPont Worker Dies After Phosgene Exposure." ABC News. The Associated Press, 25 Jan. 2010. Web.
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