Washington – The Chemical Safety Board marked the one-year anniversary of the fatal explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, WA, with a safety video imploring refineries to invest in safety.
The video discusses the agency’s ongoing investigation into the April 2, 2010, incident that killed seven workers. According to CSB, an almost 40-year-old heat exchanger failed while being brought online, releasing flammable hydrogen and naphtha that ignited and exploded.
In the video, CSB Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso urges refineries to:
- Implement a robust mechanical integrity program with emphasis on inspecting critical equipment
- Use leading and lagging indicators to monitor process safety performance before accidents occur
- Maintain an open and trusting safety culture where near misses and loss-of-containment incidents are reported and investigated
