Page 157 - CW E-Magazine (23-7-2024)

News from Abroad

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
US CSB releases safety video on acetic acid release

at LyondellBasell’s Texas site in 2021

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard a pipe section located between a leaking The safety video addresses the two
Investigation Board (CSB) has released pipe and an acetic acid reactor. To do so, key safety issues identified in the CSB’s
a new safety video on its investigation they decided to lock a plug valve in the final report that contributed to the inci-
into the fatal release of acetic acid at the closed position by removing the valve’s dent: (1) valve design to prevent human
LyondellBasell La Porte Complex in actuator. However, LyondellBasell did error; and (2) providing workers with
La Porte, Texas, on July 27, 2021, that not have a procedure detailing how to re- conditions, procedures, and training to
killed two contract workers. move the actuator, and neither Lyondell- safely conduct work. The video also
Basell nor Turn2 trained the Turn2 per- highlights safety recommendations made
Highly corrosive acetic acid mix- sonnel on how to remove the actuator. by the CSB to the American Society of
ture had erupted from equipment when Instead, the contractors inadvertently Mechanical Engineers, the American
three contract workers inadvertently removed pressure-retaining fasteners that Petroleum Institute, and LyondellBasell.
removed critical components of a plug were holding the valve cover in place
valve. All three workers were sprayed and should not have been removed to In the video, CSB Board Member
with the acetic acid mixture. Two died uninstall the actuator. The compromised Dr. Sylvia Johnson, said, “As this tragic
from their injuries. The CSB’s new valve failed, and all three Turn2 workers incident has shown us, even a simple
safety video, called “Designed to fail: were sprayed by the acetic acid mixture. task can turn deadly if it is not properly
Chemical release at LyondellBasell,” performed. It is time to improve the
includes an animation of the events When the CBS’s final investigation design of plug valves and take other
leading to the incident, as well as com- report was issued, CSB Chairperson protective actions, such as ensuring that
mentary from CSB experts. The CSB Mr. Steve Owens had noted that “there clear markings are visible on all existing
released its final investigation report on have been similar incidents around the plug valve pressure-retaining compo-
the incident on May 25, 2023. The inves- country involving plug valves being in- nents, and workers are properly trained
tigation found that the incident occurred advertently taken apart when removing before conducting maintenance. Vital
when three contractors from Turn2 Spe- connected equipment” and urged that steps like these can go a long way in
cialties Companies attempted to isolate action be taken to address this issue. injury prevention and help save lives.”

PROJECT UPDATE
KazMunayGas, Sibur and Sinopec commit to move

ahead on Kazakh polyethylene project

Kazakh government owned oil & implementation of the Silleno project. ruk-Kazyna, KMG, Sibur and partici-
gas company, KazMunayGas (KMG), The protocol reflects the commitment pants of the operating companies of the
Russia’s Sibur and China’s Sinopec of the parties to ensure the highest level petrochemical projects signed the main
have signed a protocol agreement on of local content in the field of design, documents on the creation of joint ven-
the Silleno (polyethylene, PE) project, procurement of equipment and materi- tures – Kazakhstan Petrochemical Indus-
the KMG press service reported. als, as well as construction during the tries (for polypropylene) and Silleno LLP
implementation of the project, taking (for PE). In May 2023, an agreement was
The document was signed as part into account economic and technical signed on the entry of Sinopec into the
of the 7th meeting of the Kazakh- feasibility,” KMG said. PE project as a full partner, and in April
Chinese Business Council on the eve of the 2024 the company officially became a
Shanghai Cooperation Organization The project involves the construction co-founder with 30% stake (KMG has
(SCO) summit in Astana. “The par- of a PE plant with a capacity of 1.25-mtpa 40% and Sibur, 30%) The estimated cost
ties confirmed their intention to agree in the Atyrau region in western Kazakhstan. of the project is $7.7-bn, and it is expec-
on the final investment budget for the In November 2022, the state fund Sam- ted to be completed in 2028.

Chemical Weekly July 23, 2024 157

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised