Phillips explosion of 1999

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Two contractors were killed and three men were injured in an explosion on the morning of Wednesday, June 23, 1999, at Phillips Petroleum Company's K-Resin plant in its chemical complex at 1400 Jefferson Road, Pasadena, Texas 77506. An alarm sounded at 11:30 am when the blast occurred and a fire erupted. It took more than an hour for Phillips' onsite fire department to extinguish the blaze.[1]

Those killed were 24-year-old Juan Martinez and his uncle Jose Inez Rangel, who were performing a hydrostatic test on pipe until they were burned to death by 500-degree F molten plastic.[2] Both Martinez and Rangel were employed by Zachry Construction Corporation.[3]

Site of Phillips explosions of 1989, 1999 and 2000 (as photographed in 2008).
Site of Phillips explosions of 1989, 1999 and 2000 (as photographed in 2008).

[edit] Facility Today

Today, the facility continues to manufacture high-density polyethylene (HDPE), as well as K-Resin SBC.[4] This complex employs 750 workers for the production of specialty chemicals, including 150 operations and maintenance personnel.[5]

The facility also experienced fatalities in 1989 and 2000.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Explosion Kills Two at Phillips K-Resin Plant. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
  2. ^ Tort Reform Lone Star Style. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
  3. ^ K-Resin(Registered Trademark) Facility Incidents. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
  4. ^ Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC - Worldwide Operations (hotlink sequence: Polyethylene, Texas, Pasadena). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  5. ^ Docket H054A, EX. 50-1-2-24, 24.0 Chromium Catalyst Users, page 24-5 (5 of 20). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
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