What are the major causes of failures in Vizag Gas Leak?.

 The Vizag Gas Leak occurred on May 7, 2020, at the LG Polymers chemical plant located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The gas leak resulted in the death of 12 people and injured over 1,000 people in the surrounding areas. The incident was a tragic reminder of the dangers of hazardous materials and the importance of safety measures in handling them. The major causes of the gas leak are as follows:

1. Storage Tank Overpressure: The primary cause of the Vizag gas leak was the overpressure in the storage tank that contained styrene gas. The storage tank had been left unused for several weeks due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The styrene gas in the tank underwent a polymerization reaction due to the high temperature and pressure, causing the gas to expand and lead to the overpressure in the tank. This led to the failure of the safety valves, resulting in the gas leak.

2. Poor Maintenance: The chemical plant had been shut down for several weeks due to the lockdown, and the maintenance of the plant had been neglected. The plant had been poorly maintained, with inadequate safety measures in place. The lack of maintenance had resulted in the failure of the refrigeration system, which was responsible for maintaining the temperature in the storage tank.

3. Inadequate Safety Measures: The plant had inadequate safety measures in place to prevent such incidents. The safety valves were not functioning properly, and the gas leak detection system was not effective. The workers at the plant had not received adequate training in handling hazardous materials, and there was no emergency response plan in place.

4. Regulatory Failure: The incident highlighted the regulatory failure of the authorities in ensuring the safety of the plant. The plant had been operating without the required environmental clearances and had been violating several safety norms. The authorities had failed to take action against the plant despite several complaints from the local residents.

To prevent such incidents, it is essential to ensure proper maintenance of the plant and equipment, implement effective safety measures, provide regular training to the workers, and establish emergency response plans. The incident also highlighted the need for strict regulatory oversight and enforcement of safety norms.

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