OSHA investigating deadly plant explosion
By ANTHONY PURA Monday, August 29th 2016
CANTONMENT, Fla. (WEAR) — Nitrous Oxide tanks seem to be at the center of a deadly explosion at a Cantonment plant.
Airgas confirms one of their employees was killed in the blast, but they have not released his name. State investigators say crews found the employee 50 to 75 feet from where they believe the explosion occurred.
It happened around 12:15 p.m. Sunday at the loading bay of the Airgas plant, next to the Ascend Performance Materials site.
According to its website, Airgas supplies gases, welding and safety products.
A preliminary finding suggest it was an accident, as they have found no signs of foul play.
Investigators say there were two nitrous oxide storage tanks and a larger holding tank in the loading bay. Nitrous oxide is often used by dentists during procedures. It is also used in car racing. Experts say nitrous oxide can cause an explosion under certain conditions.
Investigators haven't said what caused the initial nitrous tank to explode, but when it did, the other two followed.
The state has turned the investigation over to Airgas.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also investigating the case.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a member of our Airgas family. Our sincere condolences and thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of this associate," said an Airgas spokesperson in an e-mail to WEAR-TV.
It continued to say, "At this time there are no off-site impacts and area residents do not need to take any precautionary measures. Airgas' top priority is the safety of our associates, customers, and the communities in which we operate.
In the MSDS sheets for the Nitrous Oxide tanks, Airgas provides the following pertinent information:
Contains gas under pressure. Oxidizing material. This material increases the risk of fire and may aid combustion. Contact with combustible material may cause fire. In a fire or if heated, a pressure increase will occur and the container may burst or explode.
If there is a small or large spill: Immediately contact emergency personnel. Stop leak if without risk. Use spark-proof tools and explosion-proof equipment
Typically with these tank explosions there is a leak due to a malfunctioning valve or corrosion of the tank vessel. Then, if the escaping gas finds a heat source it will catch fire. As the tank heats up, it will explode. These type of explosions have happened with acetylene tanks throughout the country. Two photos above show exploded N2O tanks in Holland.
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Body found at Florida Plant following explosion
By Kristie Henderson and Allie Norton, WEAR Sunday, August 28th 2016
An explosion occurred at the Airgas facility located at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment, Fla. on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016. (WEAR/Hudson Miller)
CANTONMENT, Fla. (WEAR) - UPDATE: A preliminary investigation by The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations found the explosion came from tanks in the loading bay. Findings indicate that the incident was an accident and no foul play is suspected. Airgas is also conducting its own investigation.
State investigators have confirmed they recovered the remains of at least one victim at the Airgas facility.
The body was found between 50 and 75 feet away from the explosion around 6:30 p.m. according to Capt. Kevin Fiedor of the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations. He says search crews were sent in to look for a male employee that was unaccounted for after the explosion.
Fiedor could not confirm if the body belonged to the missing employee. He also said they do not expect to make anymore recoveries. The medical examiner has been called to the scene.
According to The Bureau of Fire and Arson, the body was found 50 to 75 feet from where the blast is believed to have happened.
The explosion happened at the Airgas facility located at the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment. According to investigators on the scene, the area looks like "a mini war zone." They added, "nitrous oxide was leaking in a 500-feet-by-500-feet area, but evaporated before it left the plant."
Mike Weaver, the Escambia County public safety director, said law enforcement, including K9s, are searching the area impacted, as well as outside the perimeter, for debris. He added the cause is still not known.
Workers have been evacuated to a field outside the plant.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has created a perimeter around the scene.
A worker at a local convenience store said the impact of the explosion sounded like a semi-truck had hit the plant.
Responding agencies include Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
Airgas issued the following statement:
"Today at approximately 1:10 p.m. Eastern Time, an incident occurred at one of our Airgas production facilities in Cantonment, Florida. The facility is adjacent to [an] Ascend Performance Materials site. We are working with local authorities on scene. An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. Our top priority at this time is the safety of our associates at the facility and of the community."
Ascend Performance Materials also issued a statement:
Statement from Ascend Performance Materials Regarding Event at Airgas Facility on August 28, 2016 Posted: Aug 28, 2016 8:44 PM EST Updated: Aug 28, 2016 8:44 PM EST
PENSACOLA, Fla. --(BUSINESS WIRE)
Today at approximately 12:10 p.m. central time, an explosion occurred at the Airgas facility located adjacent to an Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment, Florida.
Ascend personnel and contractors are all safe and accounted for at this time. Ascend’s site operations continue to operate safety.
The Ascend plant supplies a mixture of gases to the Airgas plant, which Airgas uses to make nitrous oxide.
Ascend is currently working with local authorities and first responders. According to Escambia County Emergency Management officials, at this time there are no off-site impacts and area residents do not need to take any precautionary measures.
Ascend’s facilities located near the event may have sustained some damage, which Ascend will assess after the completion of all necessary emergency response procedures.
NOTE TO EDITORS: ASCEND PERFORMANCE MATERIALS is a trademark of Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC. This trademark has been registered in jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United States of America.
Chemical Safety Board Deploying to Site of Fatal Accident at the Airgas Facility in Florida
Washington, DC, August 30, 2016 -- An investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of an incident that fatally injured one worker at the Airgas facility next to the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment, Florida, outside Pensacola. Airgas makes nitrous oxide using materials supplied by the nearby Ascend plant.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 28, 2016. According to initial inquiries, the explosion involved nitrous oxide tanks in the loading bay, where the incident is said to have taken place.
The investigative team will be led by Investigator-in-Charge Dan Tillema. Chairperson Vanessa Sutherland said, “Our condolences to the family suffering this tragic loss. The CSB’s accident investigation will determine the root cause of this fatal incident.”
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency’s board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.
For more information, contact Hillary Cohen at 202-446-8094 or via email at public@csb.gov.
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People who live nearby took photos of employees evacuating the plant into a nearby field. (Photo by Christina Davis)
Cantonment, FL (WALA) - One person confirmed missing from explosion in Cantonment, Florida Posted: Aug 29, 2016 12:32 AM EST Updated: Aug 29, 2016 12:32 AM EST
By Renee Dials, FOX10 News Anchor
By Devan Coffaro, FOX10 News Reporter
Escambia County officials confirm one person is missing from an explosion at the Airgas facility in Cantonment. We’re hearing reports that a body was found at the facility, but that has not been confirmed.
Escambia County Florida Emergency Management Agency responded to a possible explosion on Old Chemstrand Road around 12:15 Sunday.
It was initially believed to be an explosion at the Ascend Performance Materials Chemical plant. However, it was later determined the explosion had occurred at the Airgas facility on the same road.
According to a post on Twitter by Ascend, the Airgas plant is adjacent to Ascend, and the company supplies nitrous oxide to the Airgas.
The area is surrounded by neighborhoods. Several people took pictures and photos of yellow smoke coming from the plant.
“It felt and sounded as if a bomb had been set off,” said Tres Barrclough, who lives nearby. “I actually thought the windows were going to blow out. I came outside to check and see if there had been anything that hit the house and there wasn't. That's when I heard an alarm go off from the Ascend Plant, which is about a half a mile away from here.”
The Escambia County Public Safety Director, Mike weaver, said the yellow smoke was nitrous oxide. He explained there is no danger to the public.
The EMA website states: "Crews are on scene assessing the situation. At this time there is not off-site impact, and evacuating or sheltering in place is not necessary."
As we’ve reported, authorities say there is still one man unaccounted for. That man’s family waited outside the plant for hours, anxious and praying for good news.
Another post from Ascend stated all of its personnel and contractors had been accounted for.
There has been no word from Airgas on the situation.
Authorities say the explosion at the Airgas Facility happened in an isolated area and had no effect on the rest of the plant. Authorities also say there are no more threats to the area, and employees at the manufacturing plants nearby will continue working.
“Everything that possibly could have happened, has occurred. All the gas has been released,” said Weaver. “There will not be any subsequent explosions from this incident.”
FOX10 has asked several different agencies what the cause of the explosion was, but we haven’t gotten an answer yet. We’re told the investigation has been turned over to the state fire marshal.
We will keep you updated both on air an online at more information becomes available.
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Statement from Ascend Performance Materials Regarding Event at Airgas Facility on August 28, 2016 Posted: Aug 28, 2016 8:44 PM EST Updated: Aug 28, 2016 8:44 PM EST
PENSACOLA, Fla. --(BUSINESS WIRE)
Today at approximately 12:10 p.m. central time, an explosion occurred at the Airgas facility located adjacent to an Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment, Florida.
Ascend personnel and contractors are all safe and accounted for at this time. Ascend’s site operations continue to operate safety.
The Ascend plant supplies a mixture of gases to the Airgas plant, which Airgas uses to make nitrous oxide.
Ascend is currently working with local authorities and first responders. According to Escambia County Emergency Management officials, at this time there are no off-site impacts and area residents do not need to take any precautionary measures.
Ascend’s facilities located near the event may have sustained some damage, which Ascend will assess after the completion of all necessary emergency response procedures.
NOTE TO EDITORS: ASCEND PERFORMANCE MATERIALS is a trademark of Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC. This trademark has been registered in jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United States of America.
About Ascend Performance Materials
Ascend Performance Materials is a global premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. Ascend is one of the world’s largest integrated PA66 producers, with its own in-house manufacturing facilities, ensuring total security of supply. Ascend’s product range has earned it an unequalled reputation for quality, innovative techniques and an enlightened approach to business that expands the horizons of possibility. With eight global locations and more than 3,200 people working at our sites around the world, Ascend has the inspiration, the expertise, the people and the attitude toward innovation to consistently deliver the right solution for customers.
Together, we’re making a difference.
Together, we’re inspiring everyday.
More information about Ascend can be found at www.ascendmaterials.com
About SK Capital
SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors. The firm’s purpose is to build strong and growing businesses that create substantial long-term economic value. SK utilizes its industry, operating and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth and profitability as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital’s portfolio companies generate revenues of approximately $8 billion annually and employ approximately 9,000 people. The firm currently manages more than $1.5 billion of committed capital. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com
Ascend Performance Materials
Alison Jahn, +1 713-210-9809
Director of Global Communications
ajahn@ascendmaterials.com
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Tanks in loading bay may be source of Airgas explosion Posted: Aug 29, 2016 3:30 PM EST Updated: Aug 29, 2016 4:29 PM EST
By Steve Alexander, FOX10 News Reporter
Cantonment, FL (WALA) - Preliminary results of an investigation into a fatal explosion at a Cantonment chemical plant say the incident appears to be an accident and sheds some light on what may have been the cause.
It happened Sunday afternoon at the Airgas facility off Old Chemstrand Road in Cantonment after an explosion of nitrous oxide gas.
Escambia County Sheriff's Officials still haven't released the name of the person killed.
The Florida State Fire Marshal's office tells FOX10 News people nearby reported hearing three explosions.
A public information officer says preliminary results of an investigation find the explosions came from tanks in a loading bay, where two truck tankers and a holding tank were located nearby.
He says the victim's body was found 50 to 75 feet away, and the initial investigation found nothing suspicious.
Photos taken by people Sunday nearby show employees evacuating into a nearby field and a cloud of yellow smoke.
Monday morning, Airgas officials said an associate died in the incident, but didn't release an identity.
They also said there are no off-site impacts and area residents do not need to take any precautionary measures, but they are still investigating the cause.
People who live in apartment complex across a field from the plant remember what they saw.
Jan Ponquinette said, "It was horrifying. It was people everywhere. There was so much commotion."
Tamiya Jefferson said, "When I come out, you see all the yellow, orange smoke out there by the trees."
Now, they are wondering about the future.
Jefferson said, "I am worried about it again because that's not an ordinary problem."
Ponquinette said, "I'm concerned because, living across the street from a chemical plant, you have to always be ready to go."
Airgas officials say their emergency response organization is on-scene and working alongside local emergency personnel to aid in the investigation.
All content © 2016, WALA; Mobile, AL. (A Meredith Corporation Station). All Rights Reserved.
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CompanyAirgas, an Air Liquide Company
Logistics and Supply Chain · 10001+ employees · Founded 1982 · Public Company
CompanyAirgas, an Air Liquide Company, is one of the nation's leading suppliers of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and related products. Airgas is a leading U.S. producer of atmospheric gases with 16 air separation plants, a leading producer of carbon dioxide, dry ice, and nitrous oxide, one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products, and a leading U.S. supplier of refrigerants, ammonia products, and process chemicals.
