The ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance has a historical past of fires, explosions and leaks.
Here a take a look at some of the extra significant incidents in recent times.
Feb. 18, 2015: Four employees are hurt when an explosion measured at magnitude 1.7 rocks the city and showers some neighborhoods with mud and ash. The cause of the construct-up of extreme stress that destroys the large fluid catalytic cracking unit on the plant remains underneath investigation.
February 2012: A 760-pound information plate winched into the air comes free and lands on a worker foot. ExxonMobil is assessed an $18,000 penalty by the California Division of Occupational Well being & Security.
April 2009: Worker Nelson Tan dies after receiving second- and third-degree burns over 85 p.c of his body when he was struck by a blast of boiling water and steam that shot out 25 toes from a piece of equipment. Cal-OSHA assesses the company a $32,seven-hundred tremendous the following September.
July 2001: Close by residents are informed to stay indoors after a leak of modified hydrofluoric acid from the plant alkylation unit, which is used to course of high-grade gasoline, lasts no less than forty minutes.
April 1999: Three employees require hospital therapy after a damaged pipeline spilled isobutane and hint amounts of modified hydrogen fluoride, shutting down Crenshaw Boulevard for greater than two hours. It is the first launch of the dangerous vapor in modified kind since the refinery began utilizing it as a substitute of a more hazardous type in 1997 after months of controversy.
October 1994: A butane gasoline explosion injures 27 individuals at the refinery. Employees inform the Each day Breeze security procedures weren’t followed.
June 1989: A single drop of extremely toxic hydrofluoric acid splashes onto the face of a building worker. The 35-yr-previous man is hospitalized with a deep burn.
November 1987: A petroleum gas line explosion traced to an gear malfunction shatters windows at nearby businesses and properties and causes a fire fought by about 150 firefighters from seven cities that rages for 2 days. Just two minor injuries are reported.
May 1984: Superheated oil shoots into the air from a ruptured pipe, inflicting a greasy mist that settles on automobiles, properties and clothing. At the least 2,500 individuals file injury reviews.
