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Cause of Goodyear plant explosion identified
By ROY N. KENT
The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released its findings Wednesday on the cause of an explosion on June 11 at the Goodyear plant just west of the Pasadena city limits along State Highway 225.
The explosion claimed the life of one employee and sent six others to the hospital. The person who died was Gloria McInnis, 56. She was a Goodyear employee for 32 years and was a floor supervisor at the time of her death.
Her body was found about seven hours after the explosion and subsequent ammonia release. Following the accident, U.S. Rep. Gene Green called for a investigation.
“Our community won’t settle for anything less than a thorough, independent investigation of an accident that cost human life,” Green said in calling for the investigation.
According to a news release, the CSB determined the cause to be a blocked pressure-release valve.
“I am relieved that the CSB heeded our call to proceed with an investigation of this tragic accident,” Green said in the release. “Workplace accidents are far too common and we must ensure we don’t make the same mistakes twice when hazadous materials are involved. Today we have learned that pressure relief system error likely caused the loss of a life, which should be a wake-up call to companies operating similar equipment.”
CSB Chairman John Bresland said the continuing investigation into the Goodyear accident “would likely focus on the company’s practices for managing, inspecting and maintaining relief systems; training operators; and accounting for workers during emergencies.”
The Goodyear Houston plant that makes synthetic rubber for tires.
Green (D-Houston) is chairman of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
The explosion claimed the life of one employee and sent six others to the hospital. The person who died was Gloria McInnis, 56. She was a Goodyear employee for 32 years and was a floor supervisor at the time of her death.
Her body was found about seven hours after the explosion and subsequent ammonia release. Following the accident, U.S. Rep. Gene Green called for a investigation.
“Our community won’t settle for anything less than a thorough, independent investigation of an accident that cost human life,” Green said in calling for the investigation.
According to a news release, the CSB determined the cause to be a blocked pressure-release valve.
“I am relieved that the CSB heeded our call to proceed with an investigation of this tragic accident,” Green said in the release. “Workplace accidents are far too common and we must ensure we don’t make the same mistakes twice when hazadous materials are involved. Today we have learned that pressure relief system error likely caused the loss of a life, which should be a wake-up call to companies operating similar equipment.”
CSB Chairman John Bresland said the continuing investigation into the Goodyear accident “would likely focus on the company’s practices for managing, inspecting and maintaining relief systems; training operators; and accounting for workers during emergencies.”
The Goodyear Houston plant that makes synthetic rubber for tires.
Green (D-Houston) is chairman of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
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