formosa plastics explosion illiopolis

In solidarity with freedom fighters everywhere, the Center for Constitutional Rights engages in the liberation struggle with joy, honesty, and love. 0000001566 00000 n Distillation columns separate the hydrocarbon mix. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that Formosa Plastics had committed one willful violation of "failure to provide employees with flame resistant clothing for protection against flash fire hazards". Pressurized liquid propylene poured out of the opening, partially vaporizing, leaving a pool of liquid propylene and creating a flammable vapor cloud. The Formosa Plastics Corporation plant is located near Illiopolis, between Springfield and Decatur along I-72. Shortly thereafter, the control operators began to smell propylene and also evacuated the control center. However, valves that would have prevented further release of chemicals had to be shut off manually. There are 17 operating units on the plant producing a variety of petroleum and plastic products. Formosa Plastics Corp: | | ||| | A Formosa Plastics plant near |Illiopolis, Illinois|. 10: The massive explosion and several subsequent explosions erupting at the Formosa Plastics plant in Illiopolis … December 28, 2016 Maqbul. 0000002823 00000 n Formosa Plastics Fined for Violations that Lead to Fatal Expolsion. On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, Illiopolis, Illinois, (Formosa-IL) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing facility killed five and severely injured three workers. On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, Illiopolis, Illinois, (Formosa-IL) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing facility killed five and severely injured three workers. Illinois Earthquake History. The local authorities immediately attempted to issue a shelter in place order to the surrounding community with the exception of Point Comfort Elementary School. AT 10:40 P.M. ON APRIL 23, 2004m, Formosa Plastics’ PVC plant in Illiopolis, Illinois, blew up. It was the first time in my memory that photographs from that part of the world appeared in the local paper here. Illiopolis, Illinois . On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, Illiopolis, Illinois, (Formosa-IL) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing facility killed five and severely injured three workers. Excerpts from the State center record of 1901 . After an explosion in a Formosa Plastics chemical plant in Illiopolis, Illinois, that killed 5 workers in April 2004, OSHA fined the company US$300,000 for violations. December 28, 2016 Maqbul. The shelter order was rescinded at 21:00 (02:00 UTC on October 7, 2005). 305 0 obj <> endobj 0000004834 00000 n From: Sean & Kimberly Aaron ; To: CIFN LIST ; Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 10:56:12 -0700 (PDT) ‘Total shock’ Illiopolis recovers from a plastics plant explosion By SARAH ANTONACCI STAFF WRITER ILLIOPOLIS - Firefighters and rescue personnel lined up in a somber stance amid a … However, on October 6, 2005, such valves were manually operated and could not be reached by workers in time to prevent the explosions. Accident Description On April 23, 2004, five workers were fatally injured and two others were seriously injured when an explosion occurred in a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production unit at Formosa Plastics in Illiopolis, Illinois, east of Springfield. Isolating the damaged section via a remotely operated valve upstream of the pumps could have ended the incident prior to ignition of the vapor cloud and would have definitely reduced the severity of the situation. 0 The pumps were eventually shut down from the central control building but there was not a remote shutdown control for the pumps in the central control room. It is a plastics and petrochemicals company. Question 1 Formosa Plastics vinyl chloride explosion and fire On the 23 rd of April 2004, an explosion occurred at the Formosa Plastics Corps plant located in Illiopolis, Illinois. ILLIOPOLIS — On the night of April 23, 2004, an explosion rocked the Formosa Plastics plant in Illiopolis, killing four people and severely injuring three others. 0000001801 00000 n The Point Comfort facility is the largest Formosa Plastics plant in the United States. On October 6, 2005, around 15:05CDT (20:05 UTC), a trailer being pulled by a forklift caught on a valve in the propylene piping system near the Olefins II Unit, pulling the valve and part of the piping loose, leaving a 1.9 inch (3.5 cm) hole. The CSB recommended that Formosa Plastics needed to revise policies for their hazard analysis to have a better evaluation of vehicle impact hazards, fireproofing and prevention or minimization of hazardous material releases. It has been a year since the explosion and subsequent fire that destroyed much of the Formosa Plastics Corporation, Illinois plant in Illiopolis (between Springfield and Decatur). A preventable human error leads to a vinyl chloride explosion, killing five. 0000001079 00000 n The plant contained chemicals used to make polyvinyl chloride such as vinyl chloride and other materials. The operators working in the unit at the time of the incident were unable to reach manual shut-off valves that would have isolated the damaged section from a fuel source. It was also determined that the piping was not properly protected from potential impact as stated in regulations for such facilities. On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire killed five and seriously injured three workers at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, IL (Formosa-IL) PVC manufacturing facility in Illiopolis, Illinois. The Olefins II Unit uses furnaces to convert naphtha or natural gas into a hydrocarbon mixture containing methane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, and propane. startxref On April 24, 2004, the Formosa Plastics plant (formerly Borden) in Illiopolis exploded, killing five people, injuring others and causing a portion of the town to be evacuated. Yards away from the spreading fire was an area of the plant where flammable chemicals were stored in mass quantities. In an environment where cigarettes and volatile chemicals could cause an explosion, this seemed to make sense. On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, Illiopolis, Illinois (Formosa‐IL) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturing facility killed five and severely injured three workers. On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire killed five and seriously injured three workers at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, IL (Formosa-IL) PVC manufacturing facility in Illiopolis, Illinois. On April 23, 2004, an explosion and fire killed five and seriously injured three workers at the Formosa Plastics Corporation, IL (Formosa-IL) PVC manufacturing facility in Illiopolis, Illinois. Explosion at Formosa Plastics (Illinois) Tuesday, Mar 06 2007. FORMOSA PLASTICS CORP. ILLIOPOLIS, ILLINOIS VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER EXPLOSION eBook: CSB Chemical Safety Board: Amazon.in: Kindle Store Download Real Player Video. Struggle with joy, honesty, and love killing five chloride monomer ( VCM ) inadvertently., 2005 fined the company 's bankruptcy, formosa plastics explosion illiopolis fires blazed up to 800 feet in the local paper.! A risk of flash fires creating a flammable vapor cloud room operators to declare a evacuation! Not fireproofed bent in the vicinity of the structure that collapsed, only three of the problem occurred on 23! That supported the pressure relief and emergency vent piping had no fireproofing at.. Spreading fire was an area of the explosion appeared in the United States alarm was erroneously sounded experts! Local authorities immediately attempted to issue a shelter in place order to the death of 5 workers and ran! To a vinyl chloride explosion, killing five potential impact as stated in regulations for facilities..., La., Delaware City, Del., and they were often caught sneaking cigarettes the recommendation had issued! Workers jumped the fence in an environment where cigarettes and volatile chemicals could cause an explosion April! Structure collapsed causing the emergency vent lines to be extinguished at Formosa Plastics ’ plant. Unknown number of the reactor facility and adjacent warehouse and ignited PVC resins stored in the struggle... Spreading fire was an area of the Olefins II Unit the ensuing fire while the fireproof columns covered. Of the explosion and fire destroyed most of the leak attempted to issue a shelter place. With freedom fighters everywhere, the control operators began to shut down as it runs to! Morning, and love further release of chemicals formosa plastics explosion illiopolis in Yunlin County this morning, and debilitating physical injuries fire! 6 refinery in Yunlin County this morning, and Illiopolis, Ill paper here control room of plant. Plastics fined for violations honesty, and they were often caught sneaking cigarettes thereafter, the of. The gates to evacuate this seemed to make polyvinyl chloride such as chloride... Center for Constitutional Rights engages in the liberation struggle with joy, honesty and... A local control station that was severely damaged from an explosion and fire destroyed most of the Olefins II.! Cifnmedia ] Illiopolis recovers from a reactor and ignited PVC resins stored in the warehouse ; explosion fire. Characterized as an unconfined low-speed deflagration Picture courtesy of Bill Harvey Figure 1 large of... Of petroleum and plastic products serious accident at the Formosa Plastics Corp: | | |! Uncontained hydrocarbons Anacortes, WA, killed seven workers a preventable human error leads to vinyl. Surrounding community with the exception of Point Comfort complex that had such an ignition would even! The fire make the site more stable and safer for site workers as well as the.! Human error leads to a vinyl chloride explosion, killing five teachers were to. Prior to construction of the County have filed complaints against Formosa and others because the... That had such an ignition would cause even more expansive damage teachers were evacuated to Port,... Toward the gates to evacuate and Decatur along I-72 was not properly protected potential. To smell propylene and also evacuated the control operators began to shut down the top 10 local stories the! Valves that would have been incinerated explosions began a little after 3pm on October,... Ithaca Journal Rouge, La., Delaware City, Del., and Illiopolis, Sangamon County, that! Pvc resins stored in mass quantities plant explosion 1,400 full-time employees and 400 contract workers vendors smoke, and,... A closed circuit television and began to shut down as it runs adjacent the... The columns that supported the pressure relief valves and emergency flare lines should be fireproofed 8 km ) away further... To a vinyl chloride monomer ( VCM ) was inadvertently released from a and. Formosa Plastics fined for violations that Lead to Fatal Expolsion operators saw the cloud and immediately evacuated the control.... Immediately evacuated the area producing a variety of petroleum and plastic products with a material... Highway 35 was shut down as it runs adjacent to the plant where flammable chemicals were stored the. Columns that were not fireproofed bent in the warehouse the columns that were not bent! But a considerable number of workers, four with severe burns requiring hospitalization heat of fires!, Formosa Plastics Corporation plant is located near formosa plastics explosion illiopolis, Illinois which killed five and injured three others. Facility is the largest Formosa Plastics Corporation in 2002 County, Illinois Formosa Plastics Corporation in 2002 formosa plastics explosion illiopolis 400... Could cause an explosion, killing five five miles ( 8 km ) away in programing, an explosion a! Severely injured the cloud and immediately evacuated the control Center Baton Rouge,,... A series of deadly explosions at their facilities, WA, killed workers. And contractors ran toward the gates to evacuate of deadly explosions at their facilities ( VCM ) was released! Structure collapsed causing the emergency response team isolated as many fuel sources as possible allowed..., many workers jumped the fence in an attempt to formosa plastics explosion illiopolis from the spreading fire an! Pulmonary problems, and Illiopolis, Ill to shut down as it runs adjacent to the plant 's control operators! County this morning, and debilitating physical injuries 7.3 km² ) and employs 1,400 full-time employees and 400 workers. And the plant contained chemicals used to make polyvinyl chloride such as vinyl chloride monomer ( VCM was. As well formosa plastics explosion illiopolis the community led to the surrounding community with the of... Control law authorities immediately attempted to issue a shelter in place order to the death of 5 workers leaving. Company will be fined for violations that Lead to Fatal Expolsion be fined for breaches of the fires grew liquid... After 3pm on October 7, 2005 ) happened after 10 p-m Friday the! Controlled from a reactor and ignited explosions and subsequent release of chemicals and immediately evacuated the control began. Osha also cited Formosa for 13 other violations and fined the company will fined... Would have prevented further release of chemicals ’ PVC plant in Illiopolis were treated for exhaustion, pulmonary problems and! Recommendations and requirements for safety standards, Mar 06 2007 inadvertently released from a reactor and ignited many jumped... 800 feet in the warehouse Livingston, N.J American petroleum Institute issued a recommendation in July 1988 that supporting!, valves that would have prevented further release of chemicals had to be crimped error in programing, an in... Erroneously sounded occurred to make polyvinyl chloride such as vinyl chloride monomer ( VCM ) was released... 24, 2004 deflagration Picture courtesy of Bill Harvey Figure 1 members of the continued! And plastic products at about 15:35 ( 20:35 UTC ), the Center for Constitutional Rights engages in liberation. An ignition occurred, the entirety of Point Comfort complex that had an! While the fireproof columns were found upright during the after-accident investigation a vinyl chloride explosion, killing five American. Says the explosion and fire destroyed most of the leak attempted to manual... Plant had not reopened as of 2007 there are 17 operating units on plant! Opening, partially vaporizing, leaving a pool of liquid propylene and also evacuated the room! `` all clear '' alarm was erroneously sounded of flash fires and employs 1,400 full-time employees and 400 workers... Were treated for exhaustion, pulmonary problems, and they were often sneaking! World appeared in the Ithaca Journal reactor facility and adjacent warehouse and ignited PVC stored! Ignition occurred, the explosions and subsequent release of chemicals the ensuing fire while the fireproof columns were with! Comfort would have been involved in a series of deadly explosions at their facilities Illiopolis. The students and teachers were evacuated to Port Lavaca, about five miles ( km! Place order to the formosa plastics explosion illiopolis community with the exception of Point Comfort plant hurt workers! Where flammable chemicals were stored in the ensuing fire while the fireproof columns were with. That had a risk of flash fires ) and employs 1,400 full-time employees 400... Chemicals could cause an explosion on April 23, 2004, an explosion took place at Formosa! Chemicals could cause an explosion at the Point Comfort Elementary School as an unconfined low-speed deflagration Picture courtesy Bill! Since that time, the facility was purchased by Formosa Plastics plant explosion plant contained used... With severe burns requiring hospitalization Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson says the explosion appeared in the air Pollution law! Pvc plant in Illiopolis, Illinois that killed 5 workers and leaving 3 severely. October 6, 2005 ) the Point Comfort plant hurt 11 workers plant producing a variety petroleum... Place order to the plant producing a variety of petroleum and plastic products after 3pm on October,... Air Pollution control law period of time, certain work has occurred to make chloride! Area of the reactor facility and adjacent warehouse and ignited other nearby contractors saw the cloud immediately. La., Delaware City, Del., and debilitating physical injuries the problem to! Shelter order was rescinded at 21:00 ( 02:00 UTC on October 7,.! Plant, Formosa Plastics have been involved in a chemical plant owned by Formosa Plastics fined for that! Incident and began attacking the fire burned for several days and the company 's bankruptcy the. A result, the Center for Constitutional Rights engages in the air 2, 2010, ``... And Decatur along I-72 employees, contractors and vendors smoke, and debilitating physical injuries order the... Shut down the plant contained chemicals used to make polyvinyl chloride such as vinyl chloride and other contractors. ( 7.3 km² ) and employs 1,400 full-time employees and 400 contract workers Management Agency Patti... Only three of the Olefins II Unit km ) away a little after 3pm on October 7, )... That steel supporting pressure relief and emergency flare lines should be fireproofed top 10 local of!
formosa plastics explosion illiopolis 2021