Updating valves would have prevented serious ExxonMobil worker injuries
Four workers were severely burned at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last year because the facility operators failed to conduct a safety hazard analysis, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), which investigated the incident.
The fire occurred during maintenance activities when operators inadvertently removed bolts that secured a piece of pressure-containing equipment to a plug valve. When the operators attempted to open the plug valve, the valve came apart and released flammable hydrocarbons, which formed a vapor cloud that quickly ignited.
Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland said, “Our investigation found that these accepted practices were conducted without appropriate safety hazard analysis, needlessly injuring these workers. It is important to remember that good safety practices are good maintenance practices and good business practices.”