Dallas Gas Plant Explosion Under Fire Due to Several Past Safety Violations

09 Mar Dallas Gas Plant Explosion Under Fire Due to Several Past Safety Violations

8-25-07

Western International Gas & Cylinder, the gas delivery plant involved in the Dallas plant explosion in July, has had several safety violations. The company was making a delivery to the Southwest Industrial Plant when the delivery truck exploded, severely burning two people and causing millions of dollars in damage.

The company was cited for transporting hazardous materials without a security plan. As a result, Western International Gas & Cylinder was fined $6,050. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also fined the company in 2005 for not maintaining equipment at its Belleville, Texas plant in a way that would prevent an explosion.

On July 25, an 18-wheel truck owned by Western International exploded at the Southwest Industrial Gases facility in Dallas. The fire spread to gas canisters filled with oxygen, helium and acetylene, which exploded and shot out fireballs. Witnesses a mile away saw shrapnel falling. A half-mile area around Southwest Industrial Gases was evacuated and two major highways were shut down, all but stopping traffic in the busy area.