Investigation Report
Union Carbide Corp. Nitrogen Asphyxiation Incident — Final Investigation Report
Union Carbide Corp. Nitrogen Asphyxiation Incident — Final Investigation Report
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Confined space hazardsOxygen deficiency
- Inspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Competence and trainingOperating and work proceduresSafety communicationSimultaneous operations coordination
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigates nitrogen asphyxiation during maintenance at Union Carbide’s Hahnville plant, which killed one worker and seriously injured a contractor. A temporary plastic enclosure trapped nitrogen venting from open process pipework during black-light inspection. The report examines inadequate enclosure procedures, hazard warnings and evaluation of interacting maintenance activities.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Simultaneous operations coordination; SIMOPS; simultaneous operations.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.