Working with chemicals can be a dangerous job. On May 21, a serious incident occurred at a chemical plant in Louisiana. A spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Office declared a state of emergency after several explosions occurred at the plant. The accident happened at about 10:30 a.m., and the resulting chemical fire caused an evacuation of the surrounding area as well as a shut down on a local road. A worker was injured in the incident.
Louisiana emergency officials and a hazardous materials team were called in to help control the fire. Apparently, numerous explosions occurred with smaller tanks at the plant. A concern was to keep two larger tanks from exploding. Officials on the scene believe that the explosions were caused because of a faulty tank valve; however, a complete investigation will be necessary to determine the actual cause.
The injured worker was rushed to the hospital with injuries to the eyes. There is a question as to whether the tanks were empty or filled at the time of the incident. Traffic was temporarily rerouted around the accident scene after the explosions occurred, and local residents were evacuated to a shelter until the situation was stabilized.
When workers are injured in explosions or other workplace accidents, the results can be devastating. Tragic accidents can happen at a moment’s notice and often have tragic outcomes. In this case, the worker will be treated for injuries suffered. Workers’ compensation will take care of the medical expenses, including current and future treatment if needed, as well as lost income from work.
Source: todaysthv.com, “Chemical fire closes part of Louisiana highway,” Lindsey Tugman, May 21, 2012