Episode 82 - Incident Breakdown: 2020 Fatal Explosion at Optima Belle Facility

Amplify Your Process Safety

In this episode, Molly and Jo are back with another incident breakdown, covering the CSB's final report on the 2020 fatal explosion at the Optima Belle Facility in Belle, WV. On December 8, 2020, workers were drying CDB-56 in a press-rated rotary double cone dryer, when the material began to decompose and generate significant amounts of toxic gases, leading to an overpressure of the dryer and subsequent rupture, fire, and toxic chlorine release. In this episode, Molly and Jo cover the materials involved in the incident, what exactly happened and why, contributing factors identified by the CSB, the CSB's recommendations, and what companies can learn from this incident to improve the safety of their own operations.

Find the CSB's final report for this incident ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode 65 - Chemical Reactivity Testing with Guest Michelle Murphy here.

Find the Chemical Reactivity Hazards website we mentioned here.