What Should You Do After an Industrial Accident?
A recent industrial accident in South Philadelphia is bringing attention to the danger communities neighboring industrial plants may face in the event of a disaster. A corroded elbow pipe led to a fire at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions complex on June 21, 2019, which in turn led to three explosions. The largest of these turned a 19-ton fuel tank into a flying projectile, hurtling it 2,100 feet to the opposite bank of the Schuylkill river. A U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigation into the disaster revealed that the explosion released 5,000 pounds of toxic hydrofluoric acid. More than 3,000 pounds of the chemical was released into the atmosphere as hydrogen fluoride.The refinery had previously reported to regulators that in a worst-case scenario, the release of 71 tons of hydrogen fluoride could cause a cloud that would span more than seven miles and potentially impact more than a million people. While the June 21st release was less than two tons, the incident raises questions about the immediate and long-term consequences of large industrial accidents on the communities and people that surround them.
What Should You Do?
If an industrial accident happens near you, it’s important to know what to do, particularly if you are exposed to hazardous chemicals in the air or water. Accidents that threaten neighborhoods don’t just happen next to chemical plants and refinery; they can happen during the manufacture, storage, transportation, use, or disposal of hazardous substances. For example, you could be affected if trains run through your community carrying toxic substances.
- Be Prepared
First, ensure that you are prepared. Ready.gov suggests that you should:
- Build an emergency supply kit and include plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal windows, doors, and vents.
- Make a family emergency plan.
- Know how your home’s ventilation system works and how to operate it.
- Identify an above ground room for shelter with as few openings as possible.
- Learn how to shelter in place and seal a room.
- Evacuate if Needed
If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Listen to the radio for instructions, evacuation routes, and shelters. If you have a chance before leaving, close vents, windows, doors, and other openings to your home to minimize possible damage. Finally, don’t forget to help your neighbors who may require assistance, especially those with small children, or the elderly or disabled.
- Stay Safe if Caught Outside
If you are caught outside, stay upstream, uphill, and upwind from the accident. Try to stay at least half a mile or eight city blocks from the dangerous area. Don’t touch spilled liquids or solid chemical deposits and you shouldn’t walk into airborne mists. Cover your mouth with a cloth or mask while leaving the area and steer clear of accident victims until the hazardous substance has been identified. If you’re in a car, keep the car windows and vents closed, shut off the air conditioner or heater, and remain in the car.
- Stay Inside
If you aren’t told to evacuate, you may need to stay inside. Bring your pets indoors and close windows, doors, vents, and other openings. Turn your air conditioning or vent systems off or set them to recirculate the air inside. If you think chemicals may have seeped inside, breathe through a cloth or towel and take shallow breaths. If you have a pre-selected shelter room, head there and stay there. Don’t forget to seal openings, vents, ducts, and exhaust fans with wet towels or plastic sheeting and duct tape.
- Seek Medical Treatment
If you think you’ve been hurt or you have any unusual symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as it is safe to do so. You should also follow decontamination instructions from the local authorities and place exposed clothing and shoes in sealed containers. Be sure to let everyone you encounter know that you may have been exposed to a hazardous substance; it could affect others as well.
- Consult an Attorney
If you’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals or burned in an industrial accident, you should consider speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Documenting and proving chemical exposure can be more difficult than some injuries and we can protect your rights and help you document your injuries. Call us at 888-910-6376 with any questions or email via our website www.madeksholaw.com.
