Investigation Report
DuPont Belle Toxic Chemical Releases
DuPont Belle Toxic Chemical Releases
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- Hazardous Substances
- CorrosionHazardous substancesLoss of containmentPressure systemsProcess safety
- Fluid transferInspection and maintenance
- Gas cylinderGas detectorHosePersonal protective equipmentProcess pipework and pipelines
- Alarm managementManagement of changePreventive maintenanceRisk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Final investigation of methyl chloride, oleum and phosgene releases at DuPont’s Belle plant in January 2010, including a fatal phosgene exposure. It examines rupture-disc alarms, sample-line corrosion, PTFE transfer-hose failure and maintenance scheduling, supported by metallurgical testing and dispersion modelling. Recommendations address change management, hazard assessment and phosgene safeguards.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.
Summary
Investigation into toxic chemical releases from an industrial facility.
Themes: hazardous substances.