VOPAK employees were restructuring tubes. In the process of working on it flammable substances escaped, which started a fire. As the employees did not succeed in extinguishing the fire they decided to step aside. Part of the tubes collapsed because of the heat causing a BLEVE like reaction.
Fire brigade
Official action taken – legal action:
An official report was made up by the Justice department
Material losses on-site possibly exceed 2,000,000 euro.
Affected Area: installation
Affected Area: establishment
The tools used by the VOPAK employees on the site of the incident were not suitable. They caused sparks in the vicinity of open systems which contained flammable and highly flammable products.
K1 fluids, several m3 Several petroleum distillates (among which benzene, Naphtha,
kerosene) and MTBE
Measures to mitigate consequences:
– Re(designing) the pier and the storage tank;
– Change in work instructions in which more attention is paid to possible risks.