Investigation Report
E. I. DuPont De Nemours Co. Fatal Hotwork Explosion
E. I. DuPont De Nemours Co. Fatal Hotwork Explosion
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionHot Work and Fire
- ExplosionProcess safetyRegulation and legislation
- Hot workInspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelinesStorage tanks
- Atmospheric gas testingEnergy and process isolationManagement of changePermit to work
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigation of a fatal hot-work explosion at DuPont’s Buffalo facility during repairs to slurry-tank agitator supports. Vinyl fluoride vapour reached the tank through interconnected pipework. The report examines missing isolation, omitted internal atmospheric testing, inadequate process knowledge in permit review and undocumented process changes, with comparisons to earlier tank-welding incidents.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.
Summary
Investigation into a fatal explosion during hot work.
Themes: explosion, hot work and fire.