CSB Meeting Next Week on ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion
The release of isobutane occurred Nov. 22, 2016, in the sulfuric acid alkylation unit at the refinery. Four workers, an employee and three contractors, were severely burned and two others were injured in the incident.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m. EDT Sept. 18 at its Washington, D.C., offices to provide a summary of its work completed in fiscal year 2017 -- remember, this independent agency is threatened with having its budget eliminated under a proposal offered by President Donald J. Trump, so touting its accomplishments as the fiscal year draws to a close makes good sense -- and to discuss its report on a chemical release last year at ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge Refinery.
There will be an opportunity for public comment during the meeting.
The release of isobutane occurred Nov. 22, 2016, in the sulfuric acid alkylation unit at the refinery. Four workers, an employee and three contractors, were severely burned and two others were injured in the incident, which occurred during minor maintenance on a flammable isobutane line that failed, releasing isobutane into the unit, which ignited.
A CSB animation of the event is available here.