TPC GROUP LLC

Two employees and one contractor sustain injuries in explosi

At 1:00 a.m. on November 27, 2019, Employee #1, a production worker, and Employee #2, a supervisor, were working in the control room of a petrochemical manufacturing facility. One employee was in the control room (Building# 15) and the other employee was outside the control room. The narrative does not specify whether it was Employee #1 or Employee #2 outside the control room. Employee #3, a security guard (contractor), was in the Security Operations Center (SOC). A fire and explosion occurred in the south processing unit (S4 group) causing a heat transfer to the butadiene storage sphere tank 34 and the NMP tanks 72 and 73. These tanks exploded as well injuring all three employees. Employee #1 reportedly inhaled chemical vapors, Employee #2 was struck by the pressure wave and flying debris and lacerated his leg and Employee #3 also reportedly inhaled chemicals vapors and was struck by the pressure wave and building debris and fractured her wrist. All three employees were hospitalized.