Investigation Report
United States Steel Corporation Clairton Plant Coke Oven Explosion
United States Steel Corporation Clairton Plant Coke Oven Explosion
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionProcess Safety
- ExplosionLoss of containmentPressure systemsProcess safetyRegulation and legislation
- Inspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelinesPumpsValve
- Energy and process isolationOperating and work proceduresPressure reliefRisk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigates the fatal Clairton coke works explosion during high-pressure water washing of a cast-iron isolation valve. Overpressurisation caused valve failure and a coke oven gas release. The report examines maintenance procedures, hazard assessment, occupied-building siting and process safety governance, supported by valve examination and causal analysis.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.
Themes: explosion, process safety.