NTSB Safety Recommendation P-93-016

NTSB safety recommendation P-93-016.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE WASHINGTON COUNTY: EVALUATE THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY DISASTER PLAN TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT PROVIDES TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, SITE SECURITY AND CONTROL, AND PERSONNEL EVACUATION; AND, IF IT DOES NOT, MAKE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1993-12-15

Adopted Date: 1993-11-04

Overall Date Closed: 1995-07-03

Synopsis: ON APRIL 7, 1992, AN UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF HIGHLY VOLATILE LIQUIDS (HVLS) FROM A SALT DOME STORAGE CAVERN IN THE SEMINOLE PIPELINE SYSTEM NEAR BRENHAM, TEXAS, FORMED A LARGE, HEAVIER-THAN-AIR GAS CLOUD THAT EXPLODED. THREE PEOPLE DIED FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED EITHER FROM THE BLAST OR IN THE FIRE. AN ADDITIONAL 21 PEOPLE WERE TREATED FOR INJURIES AT AREA HOSPITALS. DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT EXCEEDED $9 MILLION.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA92MP006

Report Number: PAR-93-01

Addressee Name: State of Texas, County of Washington, Courthouse

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1995-07-03

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1995-07-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DRILL & TRAINING EXERCISE, WASHINGTON COUNTY HELD AN EVALUATION SESSION TO MAKE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENTS & CHANGES TO THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY DISASTER PLAN. ALTHOUGH THE SEMINOLE WELL HAS BEEN PLUGGED, THE ANNUAL CHECKS OF THE PLANT BY YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR WILL HELP PROVIDE CONTINUING SAFETY TO THE RESIDENTS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY & ITS NEIGHBORS. P-93-16 HAS THEREFORE BEEN CLASSIFED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1995-04-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence