External event weakening safety barriers (updated on May 25, 2018)

This event reminds Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Due to an external event, several safety barriers failed leading to the desaster. It is sure this one, caused by Hurricane Harvey, was less severe than Fukushima NPP.

Organic peroxides are reactive chemicals in ambient temperature. In order to prevent decomposition followed by fire, it is necessary to keep them refrigerated at temperature below -6C. The Hurricane Harvey disabled several barriers (normal electric  power supply, emergency electric power supply and refrigerated trailer).

Then, it is important to keep up-to-date risk analyzes considering a large number of initiating events to guarantee robust safety barriers to prevent accidents.

On May 25, 2018, the CSB released a video, resulted by the final incident investigation, about the fire occurred at Arkema Crosby caused by Hurricane Harvey flooding.  See below the animation conducted by Chemical Safety Board (CSB), once again contributing to strengthen industrial  safety.

Also, the final incident investigation report is available on the CSB webpage.

ECS Consultorias 

 

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