Investigation Report
West Pharmaceutical Services Dust Explosion and Fire — Final Investigation Report
West Pharmaceutical Services Dust Explosion and Fire — Final Investigation Report
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionFireRegulation and legislationRisk management
- Storage tanks
- Fire protectionRisk assessmentSafety communicationVentilation
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigation of the fatal dust explosion and subsequent fire at West’s Kinston rubber components plant. Accumulated polyethylene dust above a suspended ceiling fuelled the explosion, but dispersion and ignition remained unresolved. The report examines batchoff emissions, concealed accumulation, deficient safety reviews, hazard communication, fire protection and regulatory gaps.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Risk management; risk evaluation.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.