Publication Date |
2002 |
Page Count |
96 |
Abstract |
On July 17, 2001, an explosion occurred at the Motiva Enterprises LLC Delaware City Refinery (DCR) in Delaware City, Delaware. Jeffrey Davis, a boilermaker with The Washington Group International, Inc. (WGI), the primary maintenance contractor at DCR, was killed; eight others were injured. A crew of WGI contractors was repairing grating on a catwalk in a sulfuric acid storage tank farm when a spark from their hot work ignited flammable vapors in one of the storage tanks. The tank separated from its floor, instantaneously releasing its contents. Other tanks in the tank farm also released their contents. A fire burned for approximately one-half hour; and sulfuric acid reached the Delaware River, resulting in significant damage to aquatic life. Because of the serious nature of this incident, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) launched an investigation to determine the root and contributing causes and to issue recommendations to help prevent similar occurrences. |
Keywords |
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Source Agency |
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Corporate Authors |
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, Washington, DC.; Motiva Enterprises, LLC., Delaware City, DE. |
Supplemental Notes |
Prepared in cooperation with Motiva Enterprises, LLC., Delaware City, DE. |
Document Type |
Technical Report |
NTIS Issue Number |
200303 |