The ‘Wild West’ remains the final frontier in proper chemical storage. Years after a deadly chemical explosion at a West, Texas fertilizer plant, several other local businesses were found to be in non-compliance for improperly storing ammonium nitrate. An undercover investigation by a public radio station found that these fertilizer companies continued to store the flammable hazardous material in wooden bins and outdoor storage sheds, far away from sprinklers and steel gauge protection. When confronted with the laissez-faire storage practices, the fertilizer manufacturers simply shrugged and gave an ‘aw-shucks’ response. They simply said the didn’t “know any better.” Ignorance is never an excuse when it comes to proper chemical storage. Our superiorly engineered line of explosive storage warehouses and flammable storage lockers can help your company avoid costly civil penalties and prevent chemical explosions.
Following the catastrophic West, Texas fertilizer factory explosion that killed 15 people, OSHA considered closing a loophole that allowed these smaller businesses to escape federal oversight. Such stringent regulations and adherence to accountability could ultimately prevent similar explosions. The EPA soon followed suit and began updating its own regulations to prevent chemical explosions. Then things got political, as they tend to do near election years. Out of step with the outgoing Obama administration, the ATF announced that the West, Texas fertilizer explosion was caused by arson. By labeling the plant explosion as an external criminal act instead of company negligence, the warring government entities threatened to downplay the plant’s improper storage practices. To make matters worse, the ATF allegedly refused to brief the White House on the arson investigation. With only six months remaining in the Obama White House, federal authorities suddenly found their hands were tied when it came to drafting new regulations that could prevent deadly fertilizer fires and explosions.
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Government regulations and oversight can often damage the profits of small businesses. One of the innate advantages of capitalism as opposed to communism and socialism is its commitment to not directly interfere with the day-to-day operations of private businesses and corporations. But sometimes, a little government oversight can be a good thing. If OSHA and the EPA were allowed to act more proactively in drawing up legislation for proper chemical storage, the 15 employees at the West, Texas fertilizer plant might be still alive today. Even worse, similar businesses in the region continue to use wooden crates and old, beat-up lockers to store ammonium nitrate. It’s only a matter of time before a similar explosion rocks this small Texas town. President Biden could potentially address these regulations, but political grandstanding and interference by lobbyists could still sabotage those efforts. Regardless of how this politicking plays out, companies that routinely handle flammable and explosive material should invest in fire-rated protection to prevent chemical explosions. Even if local ordinances don’t specifically dictate such regulations, you owe it to your employees and community members to keep them safe while dangerous materials.
Just because it’s legal doesn’t always make it right. Pyramid schemes, smoking while pregnant, puppy mills and predatory lending remain some of the more egregious acts that are perfectly legal in our society. We can all agree that these actions should immediately be dubbed as criminal. Why do we not have the same attitude toward certain aspects of chemical storage? Most likely, we are only concerned with potential catastrophe or disaster when it becomes reality. This type of reactionary thinking will undoubtedly lead to more accidents and death in the future. We recommend taking the law into your own hands, – well, so to speak anyway. Just because you skirt civil penalties and fines doesn’t mean you an escape serious injury and death to your work staff. Our line of fire-rated storage lockers are equipped with fire suppression systems, steel gauge protection and a spill containment sump to mitigate spills and accidents should they happen. Depending on your needed level of protection, we can provide two-hour and four-hour storage lockers that adhere to setbacks established by local authorities having jurisdiction. The decision to protect your community and environment is in your hands. Invest in protection to prevent chemical explosions today.
