In North Andover, Massachusetts an explosion took place at Dow Chemical Plant that injured four people last year. The investigation on the explosion has taken place over the course of the recent year, and the company has been found guilty of many infractions. OSHA stated the infractions are serious and listed them as such:
- Failure to design, inspect, maintain and operate the chemical process to prevent oxygen from compromising the chemical;
- Improper storage of flammable liquids;
- Failure to provide emergency draining systems to direct flammable liquid leakage to a safe location;
- Failure to take adequate precautions to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors;
- Inadequate space for unobstructed movement of personnel and fire protection equipment;
- Failure to keep combustible waste material and residues to a minimum and disposed of on a daily basis;
- Failure to provide an explosion suppression system; and containers in storage were not located to minimize exposure to excessive temperature rise.
OSHA fines for repeated infractions more than for new ones, and the Dow chemical plant is being fined for two found during the investigation.
- Failure to use protective equipment when necessary, based on a 2014 OSHA inspection; and failure to assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, based on a 2014 OSHA inspection.
The Massachusetts state fire Marshall was quoted saying that “Investigators determined that a mechanical failure allowed air to react with a volatile chemical, during a reclaiming process, that resulted in spontaneous ignition and the explosion.” These types of chain reaction accidents are all too common, and this is precisely the reason we offer fire rated chemical storage rentals. Often times building a chemical storage building and keeping it up to all the applicable codes that constantly shift (often towards becoming more strict) is either too costly for a business or too expensive in the area of human resources. In this instance, three people were severely injured and another man was killed by a later explosion of the same flammable chemical. These outcomes coupled with the complicated and expensive nature of flammable chemicals usually pushes business owners of all sectors to look into hazardous material storage buildings. You are still responsible for storing the chemicals inside, however where you store them has been completely simplified. We have two options specifically for Flammable Storage Buildings:
Two Hour Fire Rated Structures
Our Two (2) Hour Fire Rated Structures are designed for storing combustibles and flammable chemicals that need to be located within 10′ to 75′ of an occupied facility or property line. Prepared for an accident, these buildings are rigorously tested to hold their structure for over two hours of intense internal blaze. They will contain a barrage of excessively hot gases, liquids, and solids.
Four Hour Fire Rated Structures
4 Hr Fire Rated Structures are engineered and designed specifically for flammable storage safety certification. Our four (4) hour fire rated storage buildings are for storing combustibles and flammable chemicals that need to be located within 10′ or inside an occupied facility. Our rentals ensure your company will meet all NFPA and OSHA requirements for your chemical storage needs. U.S. Hazmat Rental’s buildings are rigorously tested to hold their structure for over four hours of intense internal blaze. They will contain a barrage of excessively hot gases, liquids, and solids, protecting your workers, your equipment and your facility by providing ample time to evacuate in the case of an incident.
Renting From U.S. HAZMAT
Renting a flammable storage building will give you the safety and assurance you need and the flexibility of rental units that allow you to manage your budget. Our fire rated storage rentals, both our four (4) hour and two (2) hour fire rated buildings, are guaranteed to meet or exceed industry standards. Check with your local inspectors and authorities to see if a 4 hour fire rated building rental will solve your hazmat storage needs.
If you want to move forward with your industrial plant that handles chemicals without the stress of dealing with the constant fear of something similar happening to you, then go with U.S. HAZMAT. The best thing about our service is that we handle the regulations of your storage needs. You simply have to call in and get a free consultation, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll find out exactly what you need to store your hazardous materials and get it to you as swiftly as we can. Avoid the neverending fines, stress, and compliance issues, and get a Flammable Storage Building from U.S. HAZMAT.
