On April 9th at 8p an explosion occurred in Central Texas at a fertilizer plant. This terrible tragedy resulted in 14 deaths and 200+ injured (Austin American-Statesman). However the worst aspect, in my opinion, is that it could have easily been prevented. This horrible incident exemplifies why we need independent-regulation, especially for companies that handle toxic chemicals in some manner.
As highlighted by Cenk Uygur from The Young Turks, the West Fertilizer Company did not have sprinklers, shut-off valves, fire alarms, or legally required blast walls. It had 1,350x the legally allowed amount of highly explosive ammonium nitrate - in 2012 it held 270 tons ammonium nitrate. Moreover, it was irregularly inspected, but instead was believed to be more or less self-regulated. Yet in1985 the OSHA had inspected the plant, and the TCEQ in 2006. After an inspection by the federal Pipe in 2012, the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration fined the plant $5,250 following an inspection that "found improper labeling of storage and a failure to 'develop and adhere to a security plan'" (Progress Texas)
Yet why was it not inspect by regulation?
As a self-regulated company, the West Fertilizer Company only needed to simply state it had "no risk of fire or explosion" in order to appease the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, this was completely untrue. Proper regulation with yearly inspections to assure our workplaces and workers are safe, this could clearly have been avoided or at the very least drastically reduced. Perhaps we shouldn't have cut corners to save money?
Furthermore, this explosion also makes me question how many businesses are falsely self-regulated, but in reality creating potentially dangerous environments and surely polluting our land, air and water? This is entirely unsafe, and worrisome.
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