Date: December 8, 2020
Location: Belle, West Virginia (USA)
Address: 901 W. Dupont Avenue, 25015
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Chlorinated Bleach Powder
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
Equipment: Dryer
Company: Optima Chemical
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Person Killed, Three Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Optima Chemical is a global supplier of specialty chemicals, toll services and custom manufacturing. It was founded in 1991 and has offices in Douglas, Georgia and Belle, West Virginia. The company’s product lines include Boronic Acids, Grignard Reagents, Lithium Reagents, and Phosphorus Products.
Incident Description:
On December 12, 2020, the Gazette-Mail reported an explosion at a chemical plant in Belle, West Virginia.
The explosion, which occurred at 10:02 p.m. on December 8, occurred after a 1,200 gallon metal dryer became over-pressurized while drying a compound used for sanitation. Minutes later, the Belle fire chief and volunteer firefighters arrived.
Upon learning methanol was fueling the flames, firefighters decided to let the fire burn out as they cooled nearby structures to slow its spread. They learned that the explosion had killed a 42-year-old plant worker and injured three others.
Responders called Metro 911 to issue a shelter-in-place declaration while they gathered further details on the incident. They also activated an emergency operations center. Officials lifted the shelter-in-place order at roughly 2:30 a.m.
Neighbors were alarmed when the explosion shook their homes. They later complained that it took too long for sirens to go off and alert people. It was later discovered that not all the sirens outside the plant worked.
The incident is under investigation.
Research Team Update:
According to a recently released report from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, “dark specks” were observed in the powder shortly before the incident. Investigators are working to determine the source of the dark specks.
On June 28, 2021, the Gazette-Mail reported that OSHA has cited and proposed a $12,288 fine for Optima Belle LLC for violating federal code that requires employers to provide a safe workplace. It found that the company left employees exposed to overpressurization and explosion hazards while operating a chemical drying process.
Sources:
Gazette-Mail (December 2020)
Gazette-Mail (June 2021)
