Video released of major refinery fire: Is national security endangered?
December 11, 2009 by Fred HosierPosted in: Chemical safety, In this week's e-newsletter, Injuries, Investigations, Latest News & Views, What do you think?, fire/explosion
A U.S. company tried — but failed — to block release of a video showing release of a hazardous chemical and a resulting fire, arguing it would “raise substantial issues of national security.”
Despite the request by CITGO not to release the video, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board made it public.
The CSB is involved in an ongoing investigation of the July 19, 2009, explosion and fire at the company’s refinery in Corpus Christi, TX. One person was injured and another treated for possible chemical exposure.
As part of an interim report, the CSB released the video showing a pipe failure, release of fumes, and the resulting fire. The video shows the spread of the flammable vapor cloud and the moment when the flammable vapor was ignited. It’s a vivid picture of the severity of the release and fire.
CITGO asked CSB not to release the video on national security grounds saying that it would “only sensationalize this unfortunate accident.”
The CSB received the OK to release the video from the Department of Homeland Security, which said the footage didn’t fall under certain classifications requiring protection from disclosure.
A new law prohibits companies from classifying safety information as “sensitive” in an effort to keep it from becoming public. The law was in response to the August 2008 Bayer CropScience explosion in West Virginia that killed two.
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee accused Bayer of withholding critical information from emergency responders and investigators and the CSB.
Do you think the CSB was correct to release the video? Let us know in the Comments Box below.
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December 14th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Well I watched it and see nothing that in my opinion would compromise national security, but then again I’m just a lowley safety guy…
December 15th, 2009 at 9:51 am
It seems more and more major companies are claiming that releasing certain information would compromise “national security.” It’s as if they have all gotten together and brainstormed on the best firewall to prevent them from releasing information that may be detrimental to their business operations. The national security argument in this scenario is weak at best, to non-existent.
I previously worked for a large fortune 500 company as an EHS specialist, and I can attest to the fact that if they can release as little factual information as possible on a situation as the one presented, they most certainly will. I’m sure in certain corporations, evasion and stalling during investigations or fact finding missions is part of their business model. Of course, that hinders a thorough investigation, which may expose weaknesses or outright ambivalence to certain hazardous work processes. This is just my own opinion. But I’ve been there before……
December 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am
It appears the real motive is a concern about how the video will impact pending lawsuits. The nation security argument is a red herring. “sensationalize the event” has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with how a jury will react to seeing the video.
December 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Refinery’s are some of the most dangerious places to work these days. Funny how OSHA, and the EPA are finding some many safety violations there. I do suppose releasing video, and other evidence would be a matter of National security, Citgo own Nation chain security….
February 10th, 2010 at 9:05 am
The company was acting on selfish interests to protect their own reputation. They could care less about who they hurt. Shame on them. Yes I’m glad they released the video…but even more happy that Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) drafted The American Communities Right to Public Information Act as a separate piece of legislation. Organizational firewalls are starting to crumble. The national security scapegoat has moved. Time to come clean and do business the right way!