Ammonia Release Hospitalizes Dozens, Now Under Investigation

A few weeks ago, there was a hazardous materials release in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Dozens of people required medical care, with some requiring intensive care. Some homes were evacuated, and others were placed under a shelter-in-place order, and the incident is now being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What Happened?

A tanker truck carrying 25,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was parked outside a hotel, where the driver planned to stay for the night. Something on the truck failed, according to the local police chief, such as a valve or seal/gasket. Anhydrous ammonia was released from the truck and clouded the immediate area.

Shippers and carriers of hazardous materials are required to know the regulations that affect their work. Training on hazmat regulations is required at least every 3 years. So, would compliance with existing regulations have prevented this incident?

Federal Regulations: Hazmat Must Be Monitored

Section 397.5 of the Hazardous materials Regulations (49 CFR) is titled “Attendance and surveillance of motor vehicles.”

“A motor vehicle which contains hazardous materials other than Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3, materials, and which is located on a public street or highway, or the shoulder of a public highway, must be attended by its driver. However, the vehicle need not be attended while its driver is performing duties which are incident and necessary to the driver's duties as the operator of the vehicle.” (emphasis Lion’s)
49 CFR 397.5(c)

Any person who directly affects the safe and compliant transportation of hazardous materials by ground (highway or rail) must complete training on the US DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The driver of any placarded vehicle carrying hazmat other than Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3, must attend that vehicle if it is on a public street.

Is This a Reportable Release?

Unintentional releases of hazardous materials in transportation must be reported to US DOT using Form F 5800.1 by the person in physical possession (PIP) of the hazmat at the time of the incident. An immediate phone report to the National Response Center (NRC) may be required, depending on the severity of the incident.

The PIP must make that phone call to the NRC as soon as possible and within 12 hours of the incident if any of the following serious incidents occur as a direct result of hazardous materials:

• A person is killed or must be admitted to a hospital;
• The public must be evacuated, or a major transportation artery or facility must be shut down, for more than an hour;
• The operational flight plan of an airplane must be changed;
• Fires, breakage, or spillage of radioactive materials or an infectious substance other than a regulated medical waste;
• A release of more than 119 gallons or 882 lbs. of marine pollutants;
• Any battery or battery-powered device incident that involves a fire, violent rupture, explosion or dangerous evolution of heat aboard an aircraft; or
• Any other life-threatening situation in the judgment of the PIP.

[49 CFR 171.15]

In this case, a hazardous material was unintentionally released, and people were admitted to the hospital as a direct result. That means the driver is required to:

1. Submit a written report using Form F 5800.1 to US DOT within 30 days, and
2. Make a phone report to NRC within 12 hours of the incident.

A hazmat release can trigger environmental reporting requirements, too.
Read more: Reporting Hazmat Transportation Incidents