On June 21, 2019, an explosion at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery occurred due to a leak of hydrofluoric acid, which led to large explosions and significant fire damage. Workers described the terrifying moment when they saw the fire, fearing for their lives. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, but five workers were injured. The refinery ultimately shut down, leaving 1,000 employees jobless. This incident revealed the shortcomings of the EPA's Risk Management Program in preventing chemical accidents at refineries that use HF, raising concerns about safety regulations and worker protection.
"You figure you ain't going home; you figure this is it," a worker recalled, emphasizing the life-threatening nature of the leak and ensuing explosions. The incident raised alarms about safety in the industry.
The catastrophic events at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery highlight the dangers of using hydrofluoric acid, especially the flaws in EPA's Risk Management Program that should ensure worker safety.
Collection
[
|
...
]