Investigation Report
Packaging Corporation of America Hot Work Explosion
Packaging Corporation of America Hot Work Explosion
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- Control of WorkExplosionHot Work and Fire
- ExplosionFunctional safetyLearning from incidentsProcess safetyRegulation and legislation
- Hot workInspection and maintenance
- Gas detectorProcess pipework and pipelinesStorage tanksValve
- Atmospheric gas testingIgnition source controlPermit to workRisk assessment
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigation of a foul condensate tank explosion at PCA’s DeRidder mill that killed three contractors and injured seven. Air ingress created an explosive atmosphere; nearby hot work was the probable ignition source. The report examines turpentine recovery, outage conditions, permit limitations, process safety boundaries and explosion safeguards, with comparisons to earlier incidents.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Learning from incidents; incident learning; lessons learnt; lessons learned.
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: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Ignition source control; ignition prevention.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.
Themes: control of work, explosion, hot work and fire.