Government Relations
CSB reports on Synthron investigation, releases video on four explosions
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video, “Reactive Hazards: Dangers of Uncontrolled Chemical Reactions,” which features computerized animation and descriptions of four chemical explosions investigated by the CSB. In tandem, CSB released the final report of Synthron chemical manufacturing facility accident in Morganton, N.C.
The Synthron accident occurred on January 31, 2006, as the result of a chemical reaction in a 1500-gallon process vessel inside the Synthron production building. One worker was fatally burned and fourteen others were injured, two seriously. The blast destroyed the facility and broke windows up to one-third of a mile away. Two churches and a home were damaged and were later condemned. Synthron filed for bankruptcy following the accident, and the facility has not been rebuilt.
The video features a computer animation of that tragedy narrated by the lead investigator. It also includes coverage of the MFG (Dalton, Ga.), BP Amoco (Augusta, Ga.) and First Chemical Company (Pascagoula, Miss.) accidents and opens with news footage of the Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh, India) tragedy of 1984, which killed thousands.
Reactive hazards include those involving uncontrolled chemical reactions, with significant increases in temperature or pressure. The CSB released a study of reactive hazards in 2002 and made numerous safety recommendations. The agency has investigated several such accidents since that time. The video was made to create a heightened awareness of the dangers of these types of uncontrolled chemical reactions.
View the video online in the CSB Video Room or order a copy of the free DVD.
Read the CSB report on Synthron.
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