The U.S. Chemical Security and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) launched an replace this week on its ongoing investigation into the October fuel leak on the PEMEX Deer Park facility that resulted within the demise of two contract employees.
In line with the replace, the 2 employees died from hydrogen sulfide poisoning and had been in two separate places roughly 250 ft aside. One collapsed instantly and the opposite died whereas attempting to flee, federal investigators reported.
“The opposite boilermaker collapsed close to the highest of the ladder and was discovered by emergency responders together with his respirator masks mendacity subsequent to him, fatally injured from hydrogen sulfide poisoning,” the CSB mentioned in its replace. “Whereas trying to evacuate, one of many employees misplaced consciousness and fell whereas descending a caged ladder. He was discovered on the bottom on the east facet of the [Sulfur Recovery Unit], fatally injured from hydrogen sulfide poisoning.”
In line with the replace, 27,000 kilos of hydrogen sulfide was launched as a result of two contract employees opened the fallacious flange on account of a misplaced identification tag. CSB mentioned two pipes — one which had been depressurized and remoted to work on and one other that was pressurized with poisonous fuel — had been 5 ft aside.
Offered by CSB
“The boilermakers noticed a flange locking system on or close to the [still pressurized] flange and believed that the [still pressurized] flange was the supposed location of the work, unaware that [the unpressurized blind] was situated on the piping phase 5 ft away,” CSB mentioned in its report.
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On the day of the leak southeast of Houston, two contract employees with Repcon had been contracted by PEMEX Deer Park to work on 15 blinds — which CSB mentioned are used to isolate sections of pipes. Two different contract employees with ISC had been additionally on web site, working at a unique location
The Repcon employees had been on the Amine Regeneration Models, whereas the ISC employees had been engaged on the Sulfur Recuperate Unit.
Offered by CSB
The 2 working within the Amine Regeneration Models opened the pressurized piping, believing it was the unpressurised blind, the report states.
“Carrying supplied-air respirators and with out private hydrogen sulfide fuel detectors, the 2 Repcon boilermakers might have been unaware of a hydrogen sulfide leak,” the replace mentioned. “At 4:23 p.m., the connection was disassembled sufficient that the flange opened, forcefully releasing poisonous hydrogen sulfide fuel.”
Following the leak, the 2 boilermakers disconnected their provided air connections and started to flee. In line with the CSB, one died close to the highest of the ladder and the opposite fled through the first meeting level.
The leaked hydrogen sulfide was carried by the wind towards the Sulfur Restoration Unit, the place the 2 ISC employees had been. In line with CSB, the sulfide detectors had been disabled on the Sulfur Restoration Unit.
These two employees weren’t required to put on respirators and didn’t have escape respirators, in accordance with the CSB.
“Simply after the discharge, at the very least one of many ISC employees heard audible alarms within the space,” the CSB mentioned in its replace. “Whereas trying to evacuate, one of many employees misplaced consciousness and fell whereas descending a caged ladder. He was discovered on the bottom on the east facet of the SRU, fatally injured from hydrogen sulfide poisoning. The opposite employee acknowledged to the CSB that he misplaced and regained consciousness and was capable of escape the realm.”
In complete, 13 contractors had been taken to the hospital to be evaluated for hydrogen sulfide publicity.
The CSB mentioned the investigation is ongoing, and the company will proceed to assessment the incident. CSB mentioned it can launch potential suggestions as soon as the investigation is accomplished.
PEMEX, ISC and Repcon didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
