CSB Warns Chemical Facilities to Prep for Hurricane Season Now
According to ISHN, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is calling on chemical facility operators to complete hurricane preparedness measures immediately, warning that even a below-normal storm season carries serious risk for facilities that aren’t ready.
Why the CSB Is Raising the Alarm Now
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and while NOAA has predicted a below-normal season this year, the CSB is not treating that as a reason to ease up. “Although the prediction is for a below-normal hurricane season, it only takes one bad storm hitting one unprepared facility to lead to a catastrophic chemical incident,” said CSB Chairperson Steve Owens.
The agency is pointing to two past incidents as the primary evidence for urgency. In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey damaged Arkema’s facility in Crosby, Texas, causing organic peroxides to decompose and ignite after backup power failed and refrigeration flooded. More than 200 nearby residents were evacuated, and 21 people sought medical attention. In August 2020, Hurricane Laura struck the Bio-Lab facility in Westlake, Louisiana, where over 1 million pounds of trichloroisocyanuric acid were on-site. Roof damage allowed rainwater to contact the chemical, triggering a fire and a chlorine gas release that closed a portion of Interstate 10 for more than 28 hours. Bio-Lab spent $250 million rebuilding the facility.
The CSB has published investigation reports and safety videos on both incidents, and also points to a planning document from the Center for Chemical Process Safety as an additional resource.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Gulf Coast industrial maintenance and turnaround subs should expect clients to accelerate or prioritize hurricane-related prep work between now and late November, including inspections of backup power, refrigeration systems, and roof integrity.
- Subcontractors working at chemical facilities near the Gulf Coast, particularly in Texas and Louisiana, should ask clients directly whether site-specific hurricane response plans are in place and how contractor personnel fit into evacuation procedures.
- The Arkema and Bio-Lab cases both involved failures of backup power and suppression systems. Subs with electrical, generator, or fire suppression expertise may see increased short-notice service requests as facility operators respond to the CSB’s guidance.
- Document your own pre-storm and post-storm site protocols. If a client facility sustains damage during a hurricane event, CSB investigations scrutinize everyone on-site, including contractors.
