Two Killed in Explosion and Fire at Kentucky Facility
WASHINGTON, DC – Two workers were killed and two others injured as a result of a fire and explosion that occurred at a Carbide Industries facility in Louisville, KY. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has been deployed to the scene.
According to emergency responders at the scene of the incident, both of the fatally injured workers were located inside a control room at the time of the accident.
The CSB team is led by Investigations Supervisor John Vorderbrueggen, P.E. Investigators will be accompanied by CSB Board Member Mark Griffon.
Board Member Mark Griffon said, “CSB investigations look at a wide range of issues. Previous CSB investigations have included assessing a plant’s facility siting practices and examining the location of occupied buildings such as control rooms.”
According to the company’s Web site, Carbide Industries primarily produces calcium carbide, which is used to manufacture acetylene gas, as well as a number of specialty chemicals. In its pure form, calcium carbide is a colorless chemical compound that reacts violently with water.
According to emergency responders at the scene of the incident, both of the fatally injured workers were located inside a control room at the time of the accident.
The CSB team is led by Investigations Supervisor John Vorderbrueggen, P.E. Investigators will be accompanied by CSB Board Member Mark Griffon.
Board Member Mark Griffon said, “CSB investigations look at a wide range of issues. Previous CSB investigations have included assessing a plant’s facility siting practices and examining the location of occupied buildings such as control rooms.”
According to the company’s Web site, Carbide Industries primarily produces calcium carbide, which is used to manufacture acetylene gas, as well as a number of specialty chemicals. In its pure form, calcium carbide is a colorless chemical compound that reacts violently with water.
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