How would your company spend $12.6 million? Most manufacturers would reinvest in valuable equipment and employee training. Other conglomerates might divvy the eight-figure windfall among their workforce and prospective employees, retaining highly skilled employees while attracting the best and brightest minds. Unfortunately, a Texas plastics and synthetics company is being forced to move in the opposite direction following a chemical incident settlement. The Texas Attorney General’s office has ordered the Port Neches chemical plant to pay a $12.6 million settlement related to a November 2019 explosion. Furthermore, the lawsuit requires the manufacturer to repair and replace faulty equipment, adding to the total deficit. Industrial fines should never be a line item in a manufacturer’s budget. Investing in reliable and compliant chemical protection can prevent excessive state and federal penalties. Trust the experts at U.S. Hazmat Rentals for all your chemical storage needs.
Industrial Fines Follow Costly Settlement
The exorbitant settlement follows a November 2019 explosion at the Port Neches facility. The volatile hazmat incident released more than 11 million pounds of toxic chemical substances while causing $130 million in property damage. While no deaths were reported, four workers and a contractor necessitated immediate medical care. Thousands of nearby residents were forced to evacuate. The fined facility produces Butadiene, which is commonly used in tires and plastics. Although authorities have not pinpointed a cause of the explosion, they allude to faulty equipment and work procedures in the case filing. Moreover, officials said the company knew the polymer was forming in production lines but failed to remediate the growing problem.
Chemical Storages Encourages Overall Compliance
The Port Neches polymer plant drew the ire of state regulators because it continued to operate despite egregious safety concerns. For its part, the group said it is now working closely with regulators to ensure future compliance. Furthermore, the company described “operational challenges caused by custom emission control units” as aggravated impediments to repairs. Although the company’s operational flaws didn’t stem from non-compliant chemical storage, investing in onsite protection could give safety engineers pause to conduct an overall plant audit. Having a rapidly available chemical storage locker could also remind the foreman that other safety violations could be afoot, necessitating a more thorough operational inspection. Our fire-rated chemical storage lockers engender trust among employees, knowing their best interests are at heart. Contact us today to achieve lasting chemical compliance while avoiding unnecessary fines and violations.