Chemical plant that caught fire had past problems
Published On: Jul 06 2015
A chemical plant fire that ignited Saturday night in rural Waller County happened at a facility that has been cited previously for violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Channel 2 Investigates has learned.
The Brookshire facility, which manufactures lubricants for oil pipelines, has been owned by a company called Flowchem since January 2012, according to the Texas secretary of state.
In April 2012, The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality received a complaint regarding chemical storage at the facility. A subsequent investigation resulted in five separate violations.
At the time, the plant, was called MPower Specialty Chemicals.
A year earlier, in 2011, under different ownership, according to the CEO of Flowchem, OSHA found 14 serious violations regarding worker safety. The noted hazards included "failure to control combustible dust."
It is not yet clear what caused Saturday's fire that required the assistance of 12 different fire departments. Nobody was hurt.
"We have good processes in place for management of the site. I would like to reassure everybody, our products are non-hazardous. We're a responsible organization," Neil Harrop, CEO of Flowchem, said by phone.
But one nearby resident is still concerned about chemicals from the plant possibly migrating onto her property a few hundred yards away.
"I almost threw up from the smell," Julie Robbins, a nearby resident, said.
Robbins also challenged local news reports and statements from fire officials that everyone in the immediate area had been notified.
"I am the closest one, and I wasn't notified," Robbins said.
It turns out only those people who sign up to be notified will receive a call in the event of Waller County emergencies, and it may be the same in other counties.
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Region 6 News Release: 11-1472-DAL
Oct. 19, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
US Department of Labor's OSHA cites M-Power Chemicals in
Brookshire, Texas, for respiratory, combustible dust and other hazards
Brookshire, Texas, for respiratory, combustible dust and other hazards
BROOKSHIRE, Texas – The U.S.
Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has
cited M-Power Chemicals LC in Brookshire for 14 serious and two
other-than-serious violations, including exposing employees to
respiratory and combustible dust hazards. Proposed penalties total
$54,600.
"This company jeopardized the safety and health of its workers by exposing them to respiratory and combustible dust hazards," said David Doucet, director of OSHA's Houston North Area Office. "Long-term exposure to dust can lead to disabling illnesses."
OSHA's Houston North Area Office conducted its inspection at the company's facility on Farm to Market 529 where workers handle various powders and liquids in the production of lubricating agents to improve flow in pipelines.
The serious violations involve failing to adequately control combustible dust; failing to use noncombustible ventilation ducts; failing to electrically ground bulk container bags while being emptied; failing to keep work and storage areas clean of combustible dust; failing to develop, implement and train employees in a respiratory protection program; failing to medically evaluate and fit-test employees for respiratory protection; and failing to provide warning signs to alert employees of the hazards of combustible dust. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The other-than-serious violations involve failing to use the proper filter cartridge on respirators and failing to list hazardous chemicals used in the workplace. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The company, which employs approximately 30 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Houston, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742), the agency's Houston North office at 281-591-2438, or its Houston South office at 281-286-0583.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
"This company jeopardized the safety and health of its workers by exposing them to respiratory and combustible dust hazards," said David Doucet, director of OSHA's Houston North Area Office. "Long-term exposure to dust can lead to disabling illnesses."
OSHA's Houston North Area Office conducted its inspection at the company's facility on Farm to Market 529 where workers handle various powders and liquids in the production of lubricating agents to improve flow in pipelines.
The serious violations involve failing to adequately control combustible dust; failing to use noncombustible ventilation ducts; failing to electrically ground bulk container bags while being emptied; failing to keep work and storage areas clean of combustible dust; failing to develop, implement and train employees in a respiratory protection program; failing to medically evaluate and fit-test employees for respiratory protection; and failing to provide warning signs to alert employees of the hazards of combustible dust. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The other-than-serious violations involve failing to use the proper filter cartridge on respirators and failing to list hazardous chemicals used in the workplace. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The company, which employs approximately 30 workers, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Houston, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742), the agency's Houston North office at 281-591-2438, or its Houston South office at 281-286-0583.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.