Propane dealer and manufacturer Blue Rhino is reeling after a massive series of explosions rocked a 10-mile radius of rural landscape, approximately 30 miles northwest of Orlando. Following the July 29th blast, company officials are working with authorities to determine the root cause of the incident. The explosion left eight workers injured, four of which required helicopter medevac to nearby regional hospitals. No fatalities were reported; the only injuries came from assembly line workers inside the plant.
Blue Rhino is owned and managed by Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., based in Kansas City, MO. Ferrellgas acquired Blue Rhino in 2004 and is the nation’s second largest distributor of propane. Including its Blue Rhino brand, Ferrellgas owns approximately 800 retail propane exchange locations throughout all 50 states.
Primary Cause of the Explosion Still Unknown
Blue Rhino is known for its propane tank exchange stands operating in conjunction with numerous regional gas stations and convenience stores across the country. At the plant where the blast took place, staffed assembly lines work around the clock to refill empty cylinders returning from local exchange stands. Each year, the summer months bring an increase of outdoor grilling and camping, thus pushing demand for small propane cylinders to its annual peak.
On June 29th, a series of explosions began just before 11:00PM. The abrupt blasts continued on, at random intervals, terrifying neighbors over the course of nearly 60 agonizing minutes. When interviewed by a local news group, a nearby resident claimed that she believed the series of continued blasts were the result of a bombing onslaught or terrorist attack. Local police evacuated workers and all residents within a one-mile radius until the resulting fire could be contained.
The plant typically stocks nearly 53,000 twenty-pound propane tanks, the same tanks used for backyard grilling. The plant also houses three 90,000 gallon supply tanks. Fortunately, collateral damage was limited, and the three bulk tanks were not affected.
Investigators are still working to determine the primary cause of the explosion. Early data suggests that human error may be to blame. During the busy summer season, high output volumes on the assembly line could expand the risk of error through increased potential of ignition hazards or gas leaks.
Industrial Workplace Risks – Negligence vs. Human Error
Workers at Ferrellgas’ Blue Rhino plant in central Florida, like many others working with hazardous or flammable chemicals, can face an increased risk of personal injury while on the job. Blue Rhino, along with many other gas and chemical manufacturers, typically place a strong corporate emphasis on the importance of safety procedures, training, and equipment. Ferrellgas president and CEO expressed his concern over the incident in a public statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our employees and the families affected by this incident. We would also like to applaud the excellent work of local emergency personnel – their quick response, ability to accurately account for all employees and seeing to their immediate medical needs certainly helped to comfort everyone involved.”
Safe practices and good policy are designed to minimize these risks, but are not always successful in preventing them outright. While human error remains a suspected cause of the Blue Rhino plant explosions, a determination of liability may not emerge until sometime after the initial investigation is completed.
Even if a determination of human error is reached, the question of who is responsible for those errors will be at the forefront of the discussion. It is unknown at this time whether any nearby homes suffered any damage from the shock of the blast or debris, but if they did, Ferrellgas’ will likely face claims from these homeowners.
References:
Fox News – 8 injured, including 4 critically, after dozens of explosions rock central Florida propane plant –
