Final report released on 2023 explosion at West Reading chocolate factory, confirming the deaths of seven workers.
On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its comprehensive report detailing the natural gas explosion that occurred at the R.M. Palmer Company chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 24, 2023. This catastrophic incident tragically resulted in the deaths of seven employees, injured ten more, and left three families displaced from a neighboring apartment building, which sustained significant damage. Financially, the explosion caused an estimated million in losses.
The final report, spanning 99 pages, identifies the “probable cause” of the explosion as a degraded plastic pipe fitting that allowed natural gas to leak into the factory premises. This gas was subsequently ignited by an unidentified source, leading to the devastating blast. The specific pipe fitting involved, a polyethylene service tee, was manufactured in 1982 and had been deemed obsolete. Alarmingly, it had remained connected to the natural gas supply despite its retirement from active use.
Contributing factors identified in the report include a corroded steam pipe that raised ground temperatures, ultimately compromising the structural integrity of the pipe fitting. The NTSB emphasized that soil movement and the R.M. Palmer Company’s unawareness of the steam pipe’s deterioration further exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, UGI Utilities, the natural gas provider, was found to be insufficiently cognizant of the proximity of the steam pipe, which resulted in an incomplete evaluation of its integrity management program.
The report underscores that the R.M. Palmer Company’s inadequate emergency response protocols and employee training grossly impacted the severity of the incident, as workers were not informed of the potential hazards and did not evacuate prior to the explosion. Witnesses reported smells of gas or rotten eggs preceding the event.
In response to the NTSB’s findings, UGI Utilities released a statement asserting their commitment to safety and reliability in natural gas service. They indicated that they are actively reviewing the report and its recommendations.
The NTSB’s report includes a series of vital recommendations aimed at enhancing safety procedures, including raising awareness of the risks associated with aging plastic service tees and conducting inventories of natural gas assets in elevated temperature environments. Additionally, the report advocates for improved communication channels for safety and procedural regulation, urging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to amend existing statutes to facilitate better information sharing with the NTSB.
During the investigation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) faced scrutiny for withholding certain information based on state security laws, prompting challenges that delayed the investigative process. The PUC expressed a commitment to enhancing safety by bridging gaps between state and federal requirements.
As recovery efforts continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy. The report serves not only as an account of the events leading to the explosion but also as a crucial guide for preventing future occurrences in industrial settings.
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