Waste Treatment Plants Should Have Occupancy Standard, Safety Board Says

The National Fire Protection Association should develop an occupancy standard for waste treatment, storage, and handling facilities, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board recommended July 21 in response to a 2009 explosion at an Ohio waste facility that injured four workers.

A May 4, 2009, explosion at the Veolia ES Technical Solutions LLC facility in West Carrollton, Ohio, occurred when flammable peroxides were released during the shutdown of a dirty tank in the waste recycling processing area, the report said. Two of the injured workers were stationed in a control room less than 30 feet away from the ...