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From: DCHAS Membership Chair <membership**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines (11 articles)
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2020 06:47:09 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: E6C09DAF-9B12-4444-96C0-E58B05E2D894**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 6:46:30 AM
A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
All article summaries and tags are archived at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas
Table of Contents (11 articles)
TRUCKER ADMITS HE TRIED TO SNEAK A HAZMAT LOAD INTO EISENHOWER TUNNEL
Tags: us_CO, transportation, discovery, environmental, illegal, sodium_hydroxide
MAN AND WOMAN HOSPITALIZED, CAT DIES AFTER GENERATOR EMITS POTENTIALLY LETHAL AMOUNT OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN AUBURN GRESHAM HOME ‰?? CBS CHICAGO
Tags: us_IL, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
THE NEW BALANCE FACILITY IN SKOWHEGAN REMAINS CLOSED DESPITE PREVIOUS REPORTS
Tags: us_ME, industrial, follow-up, injury, unknown_chemical
FORKLIFT HITS DRUM OF CHEMICALS AT CHRISTCHURCH FREIGHT YARD
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, release, response, unknown_chemical
BOILER EXPLOSION CITATIONS AT REFINERY UPHELD ON APPEAL (1)
Tags: us_OK, industrial, follow-up, death, unknown_chemical
SAFE HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE CHEMICALS REQUIRES EFFECTIVE TRANSFER SYSTEMS
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, flammables
'ZOMBIE' CELL PHONE BATTERIES ARE CAUSING DUMPSTER FIRES
Tags: uk, industrial, fire, environmental, batteries, waste
FIRE AT BAZE CHEMICAL UNDER INVESTIGATION
Tags: us_TX, industrial, fire, response, corrosives, water_treatment
TANK COLLAPSES AT INEOS PLANT IN LIMA, OHIO, NO INJURIES
Tags: us_OH, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
EMERGENCY CREWS CALLED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE AT SYMPHONY CHICAGO WEST NURSING HOME IN SOUTH AUSTIN
Tags: us_il, public, release, response, carbon_monoxide
FIREFIGHTERS CALLED TO SLOUGH CHEMICAL INCIDENT
Tags: uk, public, release, injury, cleaners
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TRUCKER ADMITS HE TRIED TO SNEAK A HAZMAT LOAD INTO EISENHOWER TUNNEL
https://cdllife.com/2020/trucker-admits-he-tried-to-sneak-a-hazmat-load-into-eisenhower-tunnel/
Tags: us_CO, transportation, discovery, environmental, illegal, sodium_hydroxide
Colorado authorities say that a truck driver has admitted to trying to take a short cut through a tunnel that is restricted for the hazmat load that he was hauling.
Forty-three year old New York-based truck driver Marat Latypov entered a guilty plea on October 26 to charges of Attempting to Influence a Public Servant (Class 4 Felony) and Reckless Endangerment (Class 3 Misdemeanor), according to a news release from the Colorado Fifth Judicial District Attorney‰??s Office.
The charges are a result of a March 18, 2020, incident during which Latypov tried to drive 28,500 pounds of sodium hydroxide through the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnels, where hazmat loads are forbidden.
From the District Attorney‰??s Office:
Astute Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials witnessed the Defendant stop on the shoulder of I-70 westbound, blatantly flip his hazardous materials (HAZMAT) placards over then attempt to drive through the tunnel, evading the State mandated US Hwy 6 Loveland Pass HAZMAT route. Prior to entering the tunnel, the trucker was stopped by CDOT personnel, and CO State Patrol (CSP) Troopers responded to the potentially deadly violation. During CSP‰??s investigation, the truck driver admitted to flipping his HAZMAT markings, so he could take a short cut through the tunnels‰??putting potentially hundreds of motorists and CDOT personnel at risk. The trailer had liquid residue in it and was labeled ‰??Immediately dangerous to life or health conditions‰?? on the original bill of lading.
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MAN AND WOMAN HOSPITALIZED, CAT DIES AFTER GENERATOR EMITS POTENTIALLY LETHAL AMOUNT OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN AUBURN GRESHAM HOME ‰?? CBS CHICAGO
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/10/27/man-and-woman-hospitalized-cat-dies-after-generator-emits-potentially-lethal-amount-of-carbon-monoxide-in-auburn-gresham-home/
Tags: us_IL, public, release, injury, carbon_monoxide
CHICAGO (CBS) ‰?? Two adults were rushed to the hospital Tuesday evening when an electrical generator emitted a potentially lethal amount of carbon monoxide into a home in Auburn Gresham.
The Fire Department called a Level 1 Hazmat situation for the single-family home at 8506 S. Ada St.
The carbon monoxide level had reached a lethal 550 ppm because of the generator, the Fire Department said.
A man was taken to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park in serious-to-critical condition and a woman was taken to the same hospital in fair-to-serious condition, the Fire Department said.
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THE NEW BALANCE FACILITY IN SKOWHEGAN REMAINS CLOSED DESPITE PREVIOUS REPORTS
https://www.wabi.tv/2020/10/28/the-new-balance-facility-in-skowhegan-remains-closed-despite-previous-reports/
Tags: us_ME, industrial, follow-up, injury, unknown_chemical
Maine (WABI) - The New Balance facility in Skowhegan remains closed following a hazmat incident there last week.
We were previously told by authorities that employees were back to work as of yesterday.
Tuesday, New Balance officials said in a statement they are still investigating the incident.
The facility will remain closed until at least Thursday, with employee health and safety the top priority.
Six people were taken to the hospital last Thursday after an unknown chemical or mix of chemicals caused trouble breathing and burning eyes.
They were treated and released.
In all, 70 people were decontaminated on site in hazmat tents before being allowed to go home.
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FORKLIFT HITS DRUM OF CHEMICALS AT CHRISTCHURCH FREIGHT YARD
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/forklift-hits-drum-of-chemicals-at-christchurch-freight-yard/OPT47ZIWZGOKCP6BL452VCXO2Y/
Tags: New_Zealand, industrial, release, response, unknown_chemical
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said they were called to the incident on McAlpine Street just after 10pm.
A drum of chemicals had been damaged by a forklift and began to leak, the spokesman said.
"I am unable to say exactly what chemical it was."
A crew from the Wigram fire station helped to contain the leak and contacted chemical experts.
---------------------------------------------
BOILER EXPLOSION CITATIONS AT REFINERY UPHELD ON APPEAL (1)
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/boiler-explosion-citations-at-oil-refinery-upheld-by-10th-cir
Tags: us_OK, industrial, follow-up, death, unknown_chemical
An oil refining company in Oklahoma is still on the hook for $58,000 in federal safety citations stemming from a boiler explosion that killed two workers but won‰??t face higher fines for previous violations at the site, a divided Tenth Circuit ruled Tuesday.
The majority held that Occupational Safety and Health Administration chemical processing requirements for oil refineries and chemical plants can include such ancillary operations as a steam boiler. It was the first time an appeals court had ruled on the question.
‰??It is a case that is going to embolden OSHA,‰?? said Greg Dillard, an attorney with Baker...
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SAFE HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE CHEMICALS REQUIRES EFFECTIVE TRANSFER SYSTEMS
https://www.sme.org/technologies/articles/2020/october/safe-handling-of-flammable-chemicals-requires-effective-transfer-systems/
Tags: industrial, discovery, environmental, flammables
In manufacturing, potentially flammable and hazardous chemicals such as acetone and isopropyl alcohol are often stored in 55-gallon or larger drums for dispensing into smaller containers or at the point of use. Given that many of these chemicals and branded formulations are flammable, hazardous, or potentially combustible, environmental, health and safety directors are often charged with the task of identifying the best type of pump for liquids that come in the door to ensure their workers return home safely.
Ensuring the safe transfer of chemicals means utilizing some type of sealed or closed-loop pump system that will not allow vapors to escape, preventing chemicals from coming into contact with the person dispensing them.
After all, the risks could not be higher for manufacturers. Utilization of the wrong type of pump or worse, employees tipping and pouring out contents, can be catastrophic. If toxic or highly flammable materials are accidentally released, there is sure to be a corresponding spike in worker injuries, catastrophic fires and even explosions.
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'ZOMBIE' CELL PHONE BATTERIES ARE CAUSING DUMPSTER FIRES
https://nypost.com/2020/10/26/zombie-cell-phone-batteries-are-causing-dumpster-fires/
Tags: uk, industrial, fire, environmental, batteries, waste
As if their job isn‰??t hard enough.
Waste management workers are now doubling as first responders ‰?? as ‰??zombie‰?? cellphone batteries, buried in heaps of trash, risk bursting into flames at any given moment.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have quickly become a $37 billion industry standard, according to Allied Market Research, by powering a variety of electronics including mobile phones and tablets, laptops, watches, e-cigarettes and toothbrushes. While billed as more convenient and promoting sustainable lifestyles when compared with conventional battery counterparts, i.e. Duracell and Energizer, they‰??re also known to be volatile under certain conditions, especially if they are broken, damaged or defected.
And that‰??s becoming a dangerous problem for the global garbage collections industry.
Jacob Hayler, executive director of the UK‰??s Environmental Services Association, told the BBC that a ‰??majority‰?? of lithium-ion batteries are tossed in recycling bins ‰?? as opposed to especially designated electronic recycling centers, which accept a wide range of electronics using potentially dangerous or toxic components.
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FIRE AT BAZE CHEMICAL UNDER INVESTIGATION
https://www.palestineherald.com/news/fire-at-baze-chemical-under-investigation/article_25a9222a-17ea-11eb-aaaa-9b067d03d7bc.html
Tags: us_TX, industrial, fire, response, corrosives, water_treatment
Baze Chemical, a ALKoxylation plant, producing chemicals for the oil and gas industry, mining industry, and water treatment industries, is located inside the former Calhoun Packing Plant facility.
According to Jackson, the flames were 75 feet in the air when they arrived and had to force entry through the front gate of the plant.
‰??The situation was extremely volatile when we arrived and remained that way until we were notified of the chemicals involved, especially because of the location of the fire in proximity to the production vessels and having no information on what was inside those vessels,‰?? Jackson said. ‰??It was definitely one of those situations where you go in and not know if you‰??re going to come out.‰??
There were three operators at the plant at the time of the fire that informed Jackson that the chemical in question was a liquid form of isobutryl chloride, a room temperature corrosive, colorless liquid.
---------------------------------------------
TANK COLLAPSES AT INEOS PLANT IN LIMA, OHIO, NO INJURIES
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ineos-lima-blast/tank-collapses-at-ineos-plant-in-lima-ohio-no-injuries-idUSKBN27C04K
Tags: us_OH, industrial, explosion, response, unknown_chemical
(Reuters) - No injuries were sustained after a tank collapsed at an Ineos chemical plant in Lima, Ohio on Sunday, the fire department said on Monday.
The Shawnee Township Fire Department responded to the incident and crews were on scene for several hours, according to Platoon Chief John Norris.
The Allen County Emergency Management Agency on Sunday said on its Facebook page that an explosion occurred at the Lima refinery complex in Ohio but that there was no threat to the public.
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EMERGENCY CREWS CALLED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE AT SYMPHONY CHICAGO WEST NURSING HOME IN SOUTH AUSTIN
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/10/25/emergency-crews-called-for-carbon-monoxide-at-symphony-chicago-west-nursing-home-in-south-austin/
Tags: us_il, public, release, response, carbon_monoxide
CHICAGO (CBS) ‰?? Ambulances and a hazardous materials team were sent to the Symphony Chicago West nursing home and rehab facility in the South Austin neighborhood due to carbon monoxide.
High carbon monoxide levels were reported on all three floors of Symphony Chicago West, at 5130 W. Jackson Blvd., around 2:40 p.m.
The Fire Department called a Level 2 Hazmat response, and an EMS Plan 1, which calls five ambulances to the scene.
The ambulances were called to the scene as a precaution. As of 3:30 p.m., the nursing home residents were sheltering in place and no one had been taken to a hospital.
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FIREFIGHTERS CALLED TO SLOUGH CHEMICAL INCIDENT
https://www.sloughexpress.co.uk/news/slough/163051/firefighters-called-to-slough-chemical-incident.html
Tags: uk, public, release, injury, cleaners
Firefighters were called to reports of a minor chemical incident in Slough that left a woman with breathing difficulties last night.
Two crews from Slough Fire Station arrived at a property in Aldborough Spur at about 6.30pm where a woman had mixed two cleaning products together, accidently creating a toxic gas.
The concoction had left the woman with minor breathing difficulties and she was taken to hospital.
The fire crews made the scene safe and ventilated the property wearing chemical protection suits.
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