Search

CSB Releases Report on Atchison, KS Chlorine Gas Release

Posted on 1/5/2018 by Roger Marks

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) this week released a new video and case study that detail the October 2016 release of chlorine gas from a grain processing and distilling facility in Atchison, Kansas.

What happened? On October 21, 2016, a routine shipment of 30% sulfuric acid arrived at the Atchison plant by truck. While unloading the material, the driver found two unlabeled, unlocked, and identical feed lines, situated eighteen inches apart—one led to a tank of sulfuric acid and the other to a tank of sodium hypochlorite (i.e., bleach). 

The driver hooked up to the wrong feed line, pumping sulfuric acid into the wrong tank, which started a chemical reaction and resulted in a cloud of chlorine and other compounds that floated through the facility and community. The chemical reaction went on for nearly 45 minutes because the driver was unable to reach shut-off equipment due to the chemical cloud engulfing the truck.

See CSB’s case study and recommendations here.
 
 

Is Unloading Hazmat Especially Dangerous?

Loading and unloading hazardous materials may seem simple compared to more complex industrial processes. However, because unloading often involves large volumes of hazardous chemicals, the consequences of an incident during this process can be severe and widespread. 

In fact, PHMSA data from 2003–2007 shows a significant number of reported incidents occurred during loading or unloading incident to movement of hazmat. Since January 1, 2014, eight hazmat incidents involved incompatible chemicals mistakenly mixed together during loading, resulting in chemical reactions, 44 injuries, and 846 evacuations.


What Is the Chemical Safety Board (CSB)?

In 1990, as part of a bill to amend the US EPA's Clean Air Act, Congress established the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). An independent Federal agency, the CSB is charged with investigating chemical accidents and hazards at industrial facilities. It operates under the direct supervision of the president and Congress, to which it must submit annual reports on its activities.

Modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the CSB’s role is to investigate serious chemical accidents, identify their root causes, and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. While the Board can make recommendations to governing agencies like OSHA and US EPA, it does not have rulemaking, inspection, or enforcement powers.

Read more: Know Your Safety Agency—CSB

Find courses to help satsify DOT and OSHA hazardous materials training mandates at Lion.com/Catalog. 
 

Tags: chemicals, DOT, EPCRA, hazmat shipping, HAZWOPER

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.