CSB Public Meeting Will Discuss Wastewater Explosion

Nov. 27, 2006
On Dec. 14, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) will hold a public meeting and take testimony from the investigation team and a panel of outside experts concerning a Jan. 11 fatal explosion that rocked the Bethune Point Wastewater Plant in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Two municipal workers died and another was seriously injured when a methanol tank exploded while they were using a cutting torch above the tank to remove a roof damaged in a hurricane. The CSB investigation for this incident is ongoing.

The investigation team, led by Robert Hall, PE, will present findings related to the safety programs and training at the plant, the use of plastic pipe in flammable liquid systems and maintenance of specialized equipment used on flammable liquid tanks, according to CSB.

Public employees in Florida, like those in 26 other states, are not covered by OSHA. Hall, at the beginning of the investigation, said that workers "need to have a fundamental understanding of the hazards they are working with."

CSB will hear testimony from experts discussing OSHA coverage for state and municipal employees and whether Florida should adopt OSHA coverage to protect public employees from chemical hazards in the workplace. The agency said it also will welcome any public comments on issues raised during the meeting.

Pre-Registration is Encouraged

The meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m. until approximately noon on Dec. 14, in the Tides A room of the Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center, which is located at 2700 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fla.

Pre-registration is not required, but to assure adequate seating, attendees are encouraged to pre-register by emailing their names and affiliations to [email protected] by Dec. 7.

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