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An explosion caused by mixing incompatible liquids
Author(s) -
Lacoursiere PE J. P.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
process safety progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.378
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1547-5913
pISSN - 1066-8527
DOI - 10.1002/prs.10066
Subject(s) - hydrogen peroxide , forensic engineering , mixing (physics) , truck , root cause , process safety , waste management , engineering , sulfuric acid , risk analysis (engineering) , environmental science , operations management , business , chemistry , materials science , work in process , metallurgy , automotive engineering , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Abstract Two workers of a waste handling contractor lost their lives as a result of the explosion of a vacuum truck where they had inadvertently mixed sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The consequences of the explosion were simulated and documented. Root causes and contributing factors were identified and, in particular, failure of the management systems are underlined: (1) inadequate procedures, (2) poor training, and (3) poor management controls. Improved procedures, training, and management controls will prevent accidents of this type. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2005