The US Chemical Safety Board had recommended the establishment of national regulations on the handling and storage of chemicals to avoid accidents such as the explosive blast that killed 14 people last year in West, Texas, Businessweek said.
Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso also disclosed to reporters today that the explosion, which reached its one-year anniversary on April 17, was preventable such that the up to 60 tons of ammonium nitrate should have been stored in concrete building and bins rather than the wooden variations. He also noted that the plant where the ammonium nitrate was held did not have any modern suppression equipment.
On the other hand, Moure-Eraso suggested that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration should classify the fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate as an explosive and that the application of regulations should be done under the suggested classification accordingly.
"This hazard exists in hundreds of locations across the United States. There is no substitute for an efficient regulatory system that ensures that all companies are operating to the same high standards," Moure-Eraso added.
It is to note that the material is also currently being stored in 1,351 other facilities across the US. Moure-Eraso pointed out how volunteer firefighters who died fighting the fire after the explosion had lacked mandatory response training.
US Chemical Safety Board lead investigator Johnnie Banks also revealed his recommendations and said that the McLennan County, where the explosion had happened, did not have a fire code due to a legal loophole in state law that prohibits smaller counties to have one. Banks also said farm retailer was reportedly not included in the emergency response plan, which means that the community was not aware of the potential hazards of storing such dangerous material. The retailer was also found to failed in keeping pace since its establishment in 1961, which resulted to homes, schools and other structures built near the place, he said.
