Despite efforts to stop poor chemical safety and storage practices, violent chemical explosions continue to rock unsuspecting communities. Home windows rattled and the floor beneath Westlake, La residents shook with liquefying intensity after an explosion at the town’s chemical plant. Plant officials say a Ethylene Dichloride tank exploded, sending a dark plume of black smoke streaking across a blue backdrop. Although no fatalities were reported, a total of six people received non-life threatening injuries. While it’s far too early to assume the cause of the violent blast, negligence could be a determining factor.
Prevention and vigilance remain vital in storing large stockpiles of dangerous chemicals. Accidents such as these are completely preventable. Violent chemical explosions receive the same notoriety as the capricious forces of Mother Nature. Such as the case with tornadoes, earthquakes and even tsunamis, chemical explosions occur with virtually no prior warning. But unlike violent natural cataclysms, chemical accidents fall into the category of “completely preventable.” Human action, or in some cases, inaction, continue to precipitate horrific plant fires and explosions. More often than not, negligence is the culprit. Volatile chemical compounds and mixtures are innocuous if stored in a stable environment. What most commonly happens in such fires and explosions, is that project managers store flammable materials with incompatible materials or in areas where the chemical vapors escape and interact with potential accelerants. The result, as you might imagine, is disaster.
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Unfortunately, Wednesday’s chemical fire plant isn’t without precedent. In the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, a chemical fire at another plant compounded an already dire natural disaster. Natural catastrophes such as these and the resulting fire prove that the old saying is true, “If it can happen, it surely will.” Securing volatile and dangerous chemicals is no easy task during even optimal conditions. When you introduce other unknown variables, such as dangerous storms, plant negligence will be underscored in the worst possible way. But how do you prevent incidents such as these? While you could spend hours poring over copious amounts of OSHA and EPA regulations, you could leave it to the trusted experts at U.S. Hazmat Rentals.
Not sure what type of protection you need? Confused about what constitutes flammable or combustible? All around flabbergasted about what type of chemical storage you need? Relax. Our trusted and experienced chemical storage advisors can point you in the right direction. We specialize in short-term rentals for temporary projects. Why buy a chemical storage locker when you only need it for a short period of time and it’s cheaper to rent? Not all jobs require need a permanent solution. A fire-rated chemical storage locker is just another tool for your tool box to be used when needed. Ease of convenience remains our specialty, as our lockers allow for the easy storage and removal of dangerous substances, so don’t clutter an already crowded jobsite. Don’t wait to become another headline or statistic. Call us today for proven protection!
