CSB Calls for Safer Handling of Highly Toxic Gas

U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) approved a final report and a video on a series of incidents that occurred in January 2010 at DuPont Corp.’s Belle, WV, chemical manufacturing plant, including a fatal release of deadly phosgene gas.

The final report shows how a series of preventable safety shortcomings—including failure to maintain the mechanical integrity of a critical phosgene hose—led to the accidents. CSB also released a safety video, Fatal Exposure: Tragedy at DuPont, based on the investigation, which features an animation depicting the sequence of events leading to the death of a worker when a phosgene hose suddenly burst. The video explains the causes of two other toxic chemical releases detailed in the report as well.

In the report, CSB recommends that DuPont enclose its phosgene production and storage areas so that any releases of phosgene will be contained. CSB also recommends that OSHA revise its standard for compressed gases to be at least as effective as NFPA Code 55 (Compressed Gases and Cryogenics Fluids Code).