Episode 72 - Incident Breakdown: 2018 Ethylene Release and Fire at Kuraray America, Inc. with Guest Chris Paskach

In this episode, Molly is joined a second time by guest Chris Paskach, who is currently the Flare Master at the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery in Roxana, Illinois. Molly and Chris discuss the CSB's investigation report on the 2018 ethylene release and fire at the Kuraray America, Inc. EVAL facility in Pasadena, Texas. During the event on May 19, 2018, 2,347 pounds of ethylene were released in approximately three minutes, after high pressure conditions inside the reactor resulted in the use of the reactor's emergency pressure relief system. Unfortunately, the flammable ethylene vapor was released in an area where many contractors happened to be working, including those who were involved in welding activities, which most likely provided an ignition source for the vapor. While some workers were injured as they jumped and fled from the second or third story of the plant structure, others who wore fall protection equipment could not immediately escape the fire. As a result, two were life-flighted from the site, and a total of 23 workers were injured. CSB released an animated video detailing the events and its final report on the incident in December 2022. Today, Molly and Chris provide background into Kuraray, cover the details of what exactly happened leading up to the event, discuss contributing causes, and more. Finally, they'll wrap up by covering what they believe companies can learn from this accident. 

Find the CSB's final report here. 

Find the CSB's video on the incident here. 

If you have further questions about today's episode, feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or you can connect with Chris Paskach directly on LinkedIn here.