Chemical Safety Board Releases Imperial Sugar Explosion Report

SAVANNAH, Ga.—Among the things revealed in the report is how they believe the explosion took place. While OSHA investigators traced it back to a bucket elevator in a silo the CSB believes it was a conveyor belt recently enclosed.

Investigators say it created a confined, unventilated space where sugar dust could accumulate and reach explosive levels; which is exactly what happened on February 7th when an unknown source ignited the sugar dust causing a violent explosion followed by several secondary explosions.

“The explosion at Imperial Sugar was entirely preventable. The death and injuries that occurred here should not have happened. Like other major dust explosions this tragedy was the result of combustible dust that was allowed to build for too long, on too many surfaces throughout the plant,” says CSB Chairman John Bresland.

Pointing specifically to poor design, maintenance and housekeeping, they’re strong words. Maybe even more troubling, is their assertion that the Imperial Sugar Company knew of the hazards long before the 2008 explosion.

“Managers at Port Wentworth were aware of sugar dust explosion hazards as long as 1958 but did not take action to control the hazards,” points out CSB Investigator John Vorderbrueggen.

A lesson learned too late…so, what now?
‘We worry the same attention to detail and design may not be present in other facility which is why in addition to the regulatory aspect there needs to be an education aspect,” says Bresland. 

Despite their efforts International Chemical Workers Union Council’s Darrell Hornback and others say the CSB is failing workers.

“It’s long overdue. We were hoping there would be a little stronger finding and a little stronger emphasis on an emergency standard. Obviously that will not happen,” says Hornback. 

Now the pressure is on OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to get moving and businesses with combustible dust hazards to step up to the plate ... hopefully before another tragedy. 

  Full Report

Late Thursday Imperial Sugar issued a written response but made no mention of the CSB’s stinging accusations.

“Imperial Sugar and the CSB have collaborated throughout their investigation,” said CEO and President John Sheptor.  “We appreciate their professionalism and we value their contributions to our combustible dust and safety program.  We have worked very hard to make our facilities the safest possible, and will continue to share what we have learned and will learn with the CSB and industry.“

Included in the CSB’s final report are five recommendations to Imperial. “The CSB recommendations are excellent guidance for the control and management of combustible dust.  Imperial accepts the CSB recommendations and is working diligently to implement them as part of our safety improvement initiatives.  We have listened to the CSB and other experts during the past twenty months and used their guidance in the reduction of risk in all of our operating sites.  We hope that all companies that share the risk of combustible dust also will heed the insights of this report,” said Sheptor. 

Sheptor added, “We continue to be grateful for the support the Company and its employees have received from the Savannah-area communities throughout our rebuilding process.  We also look forward to future collaborations with the CSB and others to advance safety, both at Imperial Sugar and within our industry.”

The staff presents its report to the CSB board in a public hearing beginning at 6:30 at the DeSoto Hilton in Savannah.  Public comment will be encouraged during the meeting.