Phillips disaster

October 23 in1989

CHARLES NCENGANI ,N0187671X

PHILLIPS PRIOR DISASTER
 The HCC produced approximately
15,000,000,000 pounds (6,800,000 t) per year
of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a plastic
 material used to make milk bottles and other
containers.
 Approximately 1500 people worked at the
facility, including 905 company employees and
approximately 600 daily contract employees,
who were engaged primarily in regular
maintenance activities and new plant
construction.
Phillips disaster
 The Phillips disaster was a devastating series of 
explosions and fire on October 23, 1989, originating at
the Phillips Petroleum Company's Houston Chemical
Complex (HCC) facility near the Houston Ship Channel
 in Pasadena, Texas, United States.
 The initial blast registered 3.5 on the Richter scale, and
the conflagration took 10 hours to bring under control.
The explosions killed 23 employees and injured 314.

 Conflagration(an extensive fire which destroys a great

deal of land or propert.)
CAUSES

 The accident resulted from a release of extremely flammable 

process gases that occurred during regular maintenance
operations on one of the plant's polyethylene reactors. More
than 85,000 pounds (39 t) of highly flammable gases were
released through an open valve almost instantaneously.
 A vapor cloud formed and travelled rapidly through the
polyethylene plant. Within 90 to 120 seconds, the vapor
cloud came into contact with an ignition source and exploded
with the force of 2.4 tons of TNT.[1
 Ten to fifteen minutes later, that was followed by the
explosion of the 20,000-U.S.-gallon (76,000 L) isobutane
 storage tank, then by the catastrophic failure of another
polyethylene reactor, and finally by other explosions,
probably about six in total
Effect to the environment
  the material itself has no negative effects on
our environment unless of course it is
littered. It is completely safe to handle and
touch and even lick. The real source of
potential conflict is in the extraction of the
natural gas that is the key ingredient of
polyethylene.
 This made the clean up easy.
OSHA FINDINGS

 Lack of process hazard analysis

 Inadequate standard operating procedures (SOPs)
 Non-fail-safe block valve
 Inadequate maintenance permitting system
 Inadequate lockout/tagout procedures
 Lack of combustible gas detection and alarm

system
 Presence of ignition sources
 Inadequate ventilation systems for nearby

building
Casualties & injuries
cost of damages
 killing 23 persons—all working at the facility
—and injuring 314 other (185 
Phillips Petroleum Company employees and
129 contract employees
 . In addition to the loss of life and injuries,

the explosion affected all facilities within the

complex, causing $715.5 million worth of
damage plus an additional business
disruption loss estimated at $700 million
Facility today
 Today, the facility continues to manufacture
polyethylene.[10] This complex employs 450
workers for the production of 
specialty chemicals, including 150 operations
and maintenance personnel.[11]
 The facility experienced additional fatalities

in 1999 and 2000.
SAfETY AFTER DISASTER
Fire extinguishers.
Throughout site(including large resevoir to cool down
High energy reactors avoid ignition sparks

Automatic sprinkler systems.Fire hose reels

Fire hydrant
systems through plant
Heat & smoke detectors.&Fire Alarm.

fire detector systems in place (infrared detectors, ultraviolet light detectors,

temperature detectors, smoke detectors);

Installment of proper ventillation system toxicity level decrease

dequate separation between buildings

Fire protection system maintained in an adequate state of readiness

Mask against toxic gas

Fire protection clothings
PHILLIPS TODAY
 Today, the facility continues to manufacture
polyethylene.[10] This complex employs 450
workers for the production of 
specialty chemicals, including 150 operations
and maintenance personnel.[11]
 The facility experienced additional fatalities

in 1999 and 2000.