David Savastano, Editor01.22.15
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has found that the Oct. 9, 2012 flash fire that burned seven workers at a US Ink plant in East Rutherford, NJ, was the result of an accumulation of combustible dust, vapors and Gilsonite in what the CSB termed a “poorly designed” dust collection system.
The system had been in operation four days before the explosion. The combustible dust accumulated in the ductwork and overheated, causing the flash fire. CSB investigators said the system had not been tested properly after installation, and also reported that Sun Chemical, US Ink’s parent company, had not sought construction permits for the new equipment, believing that it was exempt due to New Jersey Uniform Construction Code law regarding “manufacturing, production and process equipment.”
“Sun Chemical acknowledges the valuable work performed by the Chemical Safety Board in conducting its review of the fire that occurred at our East Ruther
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