With hurricane Harvey, Houston has experienced a horrendous natural event. The damage was widespread and profuse. Emergency responders are still working diligently to carve out a path to normalcy for those affected. In a cruel twist of fate, a chemical incident throws it’s mess on top of the grotesque pile of hardship emergency workers and residents already face. The chemicals that were released caused serious hardship for the workers involved in attending to the situation, which was only exacerbated by the flooding in the area. The chemicals were dangerous through inhalation, as well as any and all physical contact. The side effects were frightening, as most chemical reactions are. People experienced eye irritation, vomiting, drowsiness, and temporary vertigo.
Usually, a HAZMAT unit or chemical response team exhibits caution and upholds procedures to strict safety regulations to prevent exposure. The crews that were dealing with the even at the chemical plant were improperly informed about the hazards. The company is called Arkema Inc. and is located in Crosby, Texas. They claim they gave correct warnings to the affiliated officials when the fire was started, but a lawsuit was just taken out by the first responders’ director. In the suit, the plaintiffs stated “they began to ‘fall ill in the middle of the road’. Call for medics were madd, but still no one from Arkema warned of the toxic fumes in the air.” The lawsuit is still underway, so not much information can be gathered as it is still under deliberation. Yet some of the quotes from the director were chilling to hear and imagine. Such as, “Police officers were doubled over vomiting, unable to breathe.”
In response to the lawsuit, the company accused Arkema Inc. said, “We reject any suggestion that we failed to warn of the danger of breathing the smoke from the fires at our site, or that we ever misled anyone. They were told at least verbally that these were toxic chemicals and they should avoid exposure to them. They were told that if a fire starts, it would start with white and gray smoke and eventually black smoke, and if you saw that and it approached you, to pull back.” Quotes are sourced from the Washington post. The oppososition states that this is explicitly untrue, and that virtually no real warnings were given to the first responders. The entire situation is very messy, and will be drawn out for a long time to come. It’s unfortunate in every sense of the word.
The Future of the Climate and Chemical Incidents
Houston is the oil and gas capital of the entire world. A massive amount of business comes in and out of the city, and the destruction caused by Harvey sent a ripple throughout our entire economy. Gas prices were climbing up the day after the event, and sent a shock to everyone driving a vehicle. The government elected to dip into the federal oil reserves to lessen the blow, but it’s a temporary fix at best.
Many news reports are diving headfirst into making the situation political. Headlines are blasting the GOP for not acknowledging the severity of Harvey and Irma was caused by climate change. There’s certainly a lot of evidence that suggests the rising temperatures of the ocean are what gave the two hurricanes the opportunity to grow so fierce. Wherever your political leanings lie, the devastating chemical incident that occurred in Houston after Harvey is a non-partisan issue. So, “What is to be expected of the future?” You might ask. Well, the road map isn’t looking so good.
When it comes to future legislation, the projected climate, and the regulations for safety, chemical explosions and fires are getting the short end of the stick. The climate is said to be headed towards a place where more and more severe storms are on the horizon. Hurricane season this year is even said to be far from over, but time will tell. The legislation is being pulled back on many aspects of industry in an attempt to ensure growth and profit for companies. This has positive aspects undoubtedly. The trickling down of wealth is exactly what our economy is based on. However, the emergency response teams are asking the current administration to more strictly enforce the very laws that the current Armeka lawsuit is about with little to no success. Accidents happen, and it seems that businesses will start to have to take more and more precautionary measures and rules into their own hands. That’s where U.S. HAZMAT Rentals is coming in.
U.S. HAZMAT Rentals Can Save Your Business From Chemical Incidents
Chemical Storage Lockers
Hurricane Harvey is a hurricane that’s extremely difficult to prepare for. In most instances like a category 5 hurricane, it’s best to prepare for the worst and expect disaster. It’s not certain whether or not a bit of preparation before the storm would have helped prevent the incident in Houston, but a phone call to U.S. HAZMAT Rentals is a lot easier than battling a lawsuit. So give us a call today and see if your business woes can be prevented by rental of chemical storage lockers, or flammable storage buildings. Our chemical storage lockers a solution of handling hazardous materials and preventing chemical spills and fires. We achieve every compliance and applicable code and requirements. There are essentially two different types of flammable storage buildings, fire rated in different strengths. The 2 hour Fire Rated buildings need to be located 10’ to 75’ feet of an occupied facility or property line. If unfortunately, an unforeseen reaction happens in the chemical storage locker, they are capable of dealing with two hours of internal blaze. Hence, the 2 hour fire rated flammable storage building title. They have several features that work to ensure this is possible, for example:
• Explosion Proof Light
• Explosion Proof Mechanical Exhaust Fan
• Dry Chemical Fire Suppression System
• Explosion Relief Panel
• Premium 12 Gauge Steel Construction
• Heavy Duty Lock Security
• A Built-In Sump Chemical Spill Containment
• Drum Storage Capacity Options: 12, 27, 42, or 57 barrels
• Movable by heavy forklift
• Crane Lifting Lugs
The 4 hour fire rated buildings are similar in nature, but are built to be stronger and rate for 4 hours of internal blaze. These chemical storage lockers are made to meet or exceed storage lockers. They come in 12, 27, 42, 57 barrel sizes. If you’d like to take precautions in order to protect the safety and livelihood of your employees and business than look no further. U.S. HAZMAT Rentals are the best in the business when it comes to chemical storage lockers and flammable storage buildings. Call in today to speak with a representative and have all of your chemical storage needs met. We look forward to helping you protect your business, and your employees.
