A seven-member investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is en route to the scene of an explosion and fire that occurred Monday at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond, CA.
They’ll be trying to figure out how what Chevron officials described as a small leak resulted in a large fire that produced black smoke and sent hundreds of area residents to hospitals with complaints of breathing difficulties. Four workers sustained minor injuries. Thousands of local residents were ordered to shelter in place. An immediate consequence of the fire is already apparent; gas prices along the west coast and elsewhere have risen dramatically due to the disruption in supply.
CSB Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso said, “CSB investigations examine a wide range of safety issues such as effective process safety management and mechanical integrity. Our mission is to improve the safety of workers and the public.”