At 7:30 p.m. on July 2, 2021, Employee #1, Employee #2, and Employee #3 performed two maintenance tasks in the M2 crude rectification section on the ground and second levels at tower M2-T250 and vessel V-207. On July 2, 2021, during the night shift, three (3) gas monomer chemical operators were exposed to toxic fluorocarbons and other hazardous chemicals while performing the maintenance tasks at M2-T250, which resulted in delayed respiratory failure.
When returning T250 to normal operations, three employees were exposed to unknown and known acute toxic chemicals, due to inadequate safe work practices and respiratory protection, identified as expected to be in the process streams such as, but not limited to:
- Perfluorocyclobutane (C318),
- Perfluoroisobutene (PFiB),
- Octafluoroisomethylether (OIME), and/or
- Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
On July 4 after Employee #1 and Employee #2 ‘s shift ended, they had problems breathing that progressively worsened and they went separately to the hospital where they were admitted for respiratory failure.
Employee #2 later died from respiratory failure.
Then, Employee #3 worked his shift on July 3, and on July 4, the employee had trouble breathing, which was worsening when he walked to his car.
The employee was admitted for respiratory failure.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 7 | 1 | 8 | |||
| Current Violations | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $95,571 | $136,532 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $232,103 |
| Current Penalty | $65,000 | $0 | $110,000 | $0 | $0 | $175,000 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001A | Serious | 5A0001 | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $10,835 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01001B | Serious | 19101200 G01 | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $0 | $0 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01002 | Serious | 19100119 D03 I G | 12/30/2021 | 01/27/2022 | $13,653 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 4. | 01003A | Serious | 19100119 F01 III B | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $10,835 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 01003B | Serious | 19100134 D01 I | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $0 | $0 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 01004 | Serious | 5A0001 | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $10,835 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 7. | 01005 | Serious | 5A0001 | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $10,835 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 8. | 01006 | Serious | 19100134 D01 III | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $10,830 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 9. | 01007 | Serious | 19101200 G11 | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2022 | $10,830 | $13,653 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement | |
| 10. | 02001 | Repeat | 5A0001 | 12/30/2021 | 03/28/2024 | $110,000 | $136,532 | 01/14/2022 | F – Formal Settlement |
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