The consequences of chemical plant accidents can be catastrophic. These consequences oftentimes include:
- Death of workers
- Serious injuries to workers
- Serious and fatal injuries to others (nonemployees)
- Dangerous contamination of the environment (air, water, soil)
- Property damage beyond a chemical plant
There are five common causes of chemical plant accidents in the United States. These are:
- Poor maintenance
- Lack of proper safety procedures
- Human error
- Environmental conditions
- Equipment malfunctions
Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance of facilities, equipment, and machinery at chemical plants can often lead to serious accidents. Ensuring that all components are regularly maintained and operated according to safety procedures is essential in avoiding hazardous incidents. The failure to engage in proper facility, equipment, and machinery maintenance can have truly catastrophic and even live-ending consequences.
Lack of Proper Safety Procedures
When safety procedures are not followed properly or do not exist at all, employees and other individuals may be exposed to potential risks within a chemical plant. Implementing strict protocols for operating approved equipment and performing daily inspections is paramount for reducing the likelihood of an accident occurring. This includes proper training of all workers at time or hire. It also necessitates ongoing safety training and refresher programs.
Human Error
With any complex process being undertaken in a production facility like a chemical plant, human error can often be a major factor in the occurrence of an accident. Miscommunication between staff members or incorrect procedure of operations can easily lead to a hazardous incident if proper safety regulations are not put into place beforehand. Improper training also plays into human error as a cause of major chemical plant accidents.
Environmental Conditions
Extreme weather conditions such as high winds, electrical storms and flooding can greatly increase the risk of an accident happening in a chemical plant due to various environmental hazards that cannot always be accounted for appropriately. It’s important to have contingency plans in place should any natural disaster occur near the facility or any other unforeseen event arise during normal operations.
Equipment Malfunctions
Malfunctioning equipment can also lead to an incident within a chemical plant depending on what type of machinery is being used and its purpose in relation to hazardous materials or processes occurring at the site itself. Ensuring that all machines are working correctly before they’re used is vital for preventing any sort of catastrophic event from taking place due to mechanical failure or malfunctioning parts.
Legal Rights After a Chemical Plant Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a chemical plant accident, it is important for you to understand fully your legal rights and interests. An experienced chemical plant accident lawyer from the nationwide Doan Law Firm can provide you the information you need in regard to your legal rights following this type of catastrophe.
You can connect with a Doan Law Firm chemical plant accident attorney of the day or night by calling us at (800) 349-0000. We can arrange an initial consultation with a chemical plant explosion lawyer at any one of our 40 offices in the United States, at your home, or any other location that is convenient for you. There is never a fee charged for an initial consultation with a Doan Law Firm chemical plant accident lawyer.
Doan Law Firm Attorney Fee Guarantee
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee guarantee to you. Our law firm will never charge an attorney fee unless we win your case for you. The Doan Law Firm chemical plant accident lawyer team will fight tirelessly on your behalf to obtain justice, accountability, and the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and losses in your case.