HAZMAT incidents happen more often than people think. Just recently a chemical incident took place at an adhesive plant. Luckily it received a quick response and the suspected chemicals did not leak. The official statement says that “At approximately 9:15 p.m., a mixer producing an epoxy adhesive overheated causing thermal decomposition. The smoke from the mixer filled most of a 3000 sq. ft. production room. The Fire alarm was pulled by an operator outside of the production room. The fire department arrived on scene and took control as Incident Command and called for a shelter-in-place of surrounding neighborhood. Initially, about a 4-block radius around plant was blocked to any traffic. By about 10:20pm, the fire department reduced the blocked off area to only the plant perimeter. A representative from the Emergency Response section of IDEM responded to the scene and verified that there were no chemical release issues.”
The Ever Growing Hazard of Chemical Explosions
We often give news update on ways that companies can avoid these unfortunate work place incidents, in turn saving lives, money, and a lot of time after the fact. In this story, the equipment malfunctioned extremely unexpectedly and two people were only slightly injured as a result. The plant actually resumed operation shortly after the incident was contained and investigated. What can be learned from an event like this is that routine maintenance truly is not a joke. Not only should every company be following OSHA standards in regards to the minimum amount of maintenance, but also maintaining equipment and safety procedures more often than recommended. Things happen, people get distracted, machines break down. U.S. HAZMAT is here for those times. We can provide a place for dangerous chemicals to be stored during routine maintenance, and often times we are more efficient and less expensive than trying to build a storage area yourself.
In situations where chemicals are involved, an issue that doesn’t result in an explosion immediately is almost always dangerous until it’s completely evaluated and assessed. The fire department’s Assistant chief elucidates this in his quote on the situation they were faced with, “They have a 250 gallon vat that they mix polymer adhesives, like a blue basically is what it is. It reacts with water and air. They have a chute that pulls the fumes off of it while it’s reacting and somehow the chute came off.” When dealing with chemicals used in manufacturing plants, often the components react with air or water, which is unfortunately the case of many dangerous chemical reactions in the work place. Improper training or handling of a chemical will result in attempting to put out a fire with water, etc. The worst part about this is the clean-up and diffusion of a situation. U.S. HAZMAT can even help here, as our explosion proof storage lockers allow for hazardous, reactive materials to be stored inside. The explosion proof rentals come in three sizes:
Small Explosive Storage Magazine
- 18 Gauge Steel Exterior
- 1/2″ Plywood or Hardwood Interior
- 2 Hasps and Hoods
Our explosive storage magazines are built with non-sparking wooden interiors for the highest safety in explosive storage. Our 18 gauge steel exterior is designed for maximum safety protection; it is made from only the finest steel. The use of 2 hasps provides additional security for your explosive goods. Use our small explosive magazine for the safe storage of high and low explosives, detonators, blasting caps, pyrotechnics, and ammunition. This unit has been engineered with your utmost protection in mind.
Medium Explosive Storage Magazine
- 12 Gauge Steel Exterior
- 3/4″ Plywood or Hardwood Interior
- 2 Hasps and Crane Hooks
The 12 gauge steel exterior ensures that this explosive storage unit provides the highest protection for your explosive goods. This building is built with ¾” plywood or hardwood interior, which is non-sparking, providing further protection. The use of 2 hasps provides increased security, while the crane hooks provide an even higher convenience factor in this explosive storage magazine. Built of only the highest quality components, our medium explosive storage magazine is perfect for the storage of high and low explosives, detonators, blasting caps, pyrotechnics, ammunition, and other ordnance.
Large Explosive Storage Magazine
- 12 Gauge Steel Exterior
- 3/4″ Plywood or Hardwood Interior
- 2 Hasps and Crane Hooks
The 12 gauge steel exterior provides unmatched protection for your explosive materials. This storage magazine contains a ¾” plywood or hardwood interior, which is non-sparking, ensuring the safest environment for your explosive storage. This storage magazine comes equipped with 2 hasps for additional security and crane hooks for your convenience. As always, our large explosive storage magazines are built with the highest quality components, and are engineered for the highest safety and security. Use our large explosive storage magazine outdoors for the storage of high and low explosives, detonators, blasting caps, pyrotechnics, ammunition, and other ordnance.
