| Case Name |
Explosion caused due to a condensation reaction of benzyl chloride during being left in a vessel |
| Pictograph |
|
| Date |
June 26, 1970 |
| Place |
Fukui, Fukui, Japan |
| Location |
Chemical factory |
| Overview |
Benzyl chloride transferred to the dropping tank from the drum can was found to be poor quality. Directions about recovery were ignored, and it was left in the dropping tank, and exploded.
The reason why recovery was not conducted seems to be insufficient motivation and insufficient communication with the worker. |
| Incident |
About 350 L of benzyl chloride was transferred from a drum can to a surge drum for dropping in order to manufacture a dyeing auxiliary. It was found to be an off-specification product when a quality inspection was made before dropping. Therefore, the recovery of the benzyl chloride was directed and it was to be returned to the drum. After being left for about three hours, the dropping tank exploded. |
| Processing |
Manufacture |
| Individual Process |
Feed and charge |
| Chemical Equation |
Fig2.Chemical reaction formula
|
| Substance |
Benzyl chloride, Fig3 |
| Type of Accident |
Explosion |
| Sequence |
On June 26th, 1970, about 11:00: 350 L of benzyl chloride was transferred to a surge tank from a drum can using a vacuum pump.
Time unclear: The benzyl chloride was found to be an off-specification product when a quality inspection was made before dropping. An order was made to recover it by returning it to the drum can, but it was left.
14:15: The tank exploded. |
| Cause |
There was a runaway reaction caused by a condensation reaction during the benzyl chloride had left in a dropping drum. |
| Countermeasures |
The strict observance of instructions by workers. |
| Knowledge Comment |
On supervising workers, the manager should tell not only the contents of the work but also reasons, effects, etc. of the work. |
| Background |
The reason for the order to return it to the original drum can was not transmitted to the worker.
Moreover, even if it was returned to the original drum can, an explosion might have been caused at the time of subsequent storage and disposal, because the reason for the explosion was not clear. |
| Reason for Adding to DB |
Example of explosion caused due to neglect of a direction given without clarifying the reason |
| Scenario |
| Primary Scenario
|
Organizational Problems, Poor Management, Slackness of Management, Carelessness, Insufficient Understanding, Insufficient Recognition of Risk, Non-Regular Action, Change, Change of Operation Procedure, Malicious Act, Rule Violation, Neglect of Indication, Bad Event, Chemical Phenomenon, Abnormal Reaction, Secondary Damage, External Damage, Explosion, Loss to Organization, Economic Loss
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|
| Sources |
Masamitsu Tamura, Masahide Wakakura : Explosion of benzyl chloride. Reaction danger-Accident case and analysis-. p.147 (1995).
|
| Multimedia Files |
Fig3.Chemical formula
|
| Field |
Chemicals and Plants
|
| Author |
ITAGAKI, Haruhiko (Japan National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)
TAMURA, Masamitsu (Center for Risk Management and Safety Sciences, Yokohama National University)
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