west helena chemical explosion
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: West Helena Chemical Explosion](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051414/55a407c21a28ab27538b45fb/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
May 8, 1997
West Helena, Arkansas
BPS, Inc.
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Setting the Scene
➔Bartlo Packaging Inc. (BPS)
➔located in a rural/agricultural area
➔agricultural chemical packaging facility
➔bulk shipments repackaged
○ pesticides and insecticides
➔130 employees
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The Incident
➔3 firefighters dead
➔17 firefighters injured
➔hundreds evacuated
➔hundreds sheltered in place
➔multi-agency response
➔2 weeks to extinguish
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The Response
➔smoke discovered by employees
➔FD called at 1302
➔West Helena FD responds
➔Helena FD requested (mutual aid)
➔West Helena chief meets facility
personnel
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The Response
➔yellow smoke is observed
➔Chiefs review MSDS sheets
➔units pull back to plan
➔explosion occurs
➔4 firefighters trapped by debris
➔1 firefighter is rescued
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The Response
➔firefighting operations cease
➔hazmat team requested (toxic smoke)
➔fire could not be extinguished
➔fire was left to burn out
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The Chemical
Azinphos-methyl (AZM)
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The Chemical
Azinphos-methyl (AZM)
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The Chemical
Azinphos-methyl (AZM)
2783
Organophosphorous pesticide
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What went wrong?
Possible Scenarios
➔chemical decomposed by compressor heat
➔decomp began prior to delivery
➔incompatible chemicals react
➔compressor overheats AZM sack
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What went wrong?
AZM
![Page 16: West Helena Chemical Explosion](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051414/55a407c21a28ab27538b45fb/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
What went wrong?
TNT
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What went wrong?
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Lessons Learned
1. facilities should have full understanding of chemical hazards
2. facilities, chemicals, equipment, modifications should be regularly reviewed for potential hazards
3. material handling and storage SOP’s should be in place
4. all product information should be accurate and accessible