Comments on: Tanker Explosion Rocks Flomaton; No Injuries

By: SW

SW — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:54:25 +0000

The saltwater didn’t explode or burn in this incident; saltwater is just that-salty water.

If there was saltwater in the tank, it just caused there to be less vapor space in the tank. That just compressed the vapors into a smaller area causing them to be more likely to ignite. The vapors in the tank or scale on the tank ignited causing this to happen. Probably from the previous products in the tank; maybe even residual crude oil or other flammable material floating on top of the water.

As I said earlier; probably created by OSHA violations-confined space, atmospheric monitoring, failing to follow welding/cutting protocols,etc. It is doubtful that OSHA would get involved unless someone called them, i.e., disgruntled or concerned employee.

By: dot

dot — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:02:28 +0000

This is an OSHA issue, it only becomes DOT related if it were to happen on the road. The truck was at it’s home terminal, so the DOT can’t write any violations so why would they even be conserned with it? It may also fall under the Oil and Gas regulations. As for the salt water, if they figured out a way to make it explosive, then we no longer have a need for oil wells anyway. Something very fishy about this little situation. Kelly Brothers left out some vital information!!

By: SW

SW — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:00:15 +0000

OSHA only responds if there are 3 severe injuries or a fatality from a single incident. There were probably some OSHA violations that contributed to this mishap. DOT won’t get involved, either; not on the highway.

From what I hear from sources, someone was trying to weld on this trailer. These trailers haul all kinds of stuff. Probably was the result of someone welding on a trailer that hadn’t been properly prepared for that kind of work. These small companies usually don’t have a very good safety program.

Having a good safety program is like eating properly; costs a lot of money to do it right.

Lucky for all.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:07:40 +0000

In reference to the reporting this to OSHA–This was a DOT issue and is normally handled by DOT because of it being a tractor trailer.

By: Cynical

Cynical — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:30:07 +0000

Salt water explodes???

I am sooo moving away from the beach!

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:12:54 +0000

HEY IS THAT RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE HOUSEBOAT BBQ I UNDERSTAND THAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO EAT I GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT BUT DID THAT MAKE THE RED LIGHTS GO OUT

By: Know your neighbor

Know your neighbor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:26:39 +0000

If you plan to do welding repair make sure you check it for gas. Such as H2S as it is produced in about 90% of the wells in the area. What if the hatch that was blown off hit a car, possibly into a small child. Was this reported to OSHA ? What about it FFD chief ? Any followup on the incident? I’ll be checking in on it.

By: AL GORE

AL GORE — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:12:00 +0000

Hey…I just used salt water to start my BBQ ! I never knew that stuff was flammable…….cool.

By: Casandra

Casandra — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:57:06 +0000

We heard this at our house in Century!

By: Know your neighbor

Know your neighbor — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:32:52 +0000

Its hard to think that the heat caused this problem. Its only in the 30’s. This would happen more often in the summer months, something else is going here.