Featured News 2015 Industrial and Oil Refinery Explosions

Industrial and Oil Refinery Explosions

Whether you work in an office, at a hospital, an oil refinery, or chemical plant, every workplace has its share of hazards. However, if you work around explosive materials, you are at a heightened risk of being injured in an explosion or fire.

What causes chemical explosions?

Chemical explosions are either decomposition or combination reactions. With decomposition reactions, the rapid expansion of the gases form a shock wave, which causes an explosive effect.

Combination reactions on the other hand, require two or more components, such as potassium nitrate, carbon, or sulfur, which react to produce hot gasses.

The extent of damage caused by the explosion depends on the velocity of the explosion. Decomposition reactions tend to be much faster than combination reactions; they typically apply to military applications and are more destructive.

Understanding Physical Explosions

With a physical explosion, no chemical or nuclear reaction occurs. This often happens when a vessel ruptures, and its contents (gas or liquid) exist under high pressure. If the vessel containing the gas or liquid bursts, the contents are free to expand and a shock wave forms.

Explosions can be intentional and used in mining and road building, or they can be accidental. Since they are extremely dangerous, explosive materials must always be handled with extreme care to prevent deadly accidents.

Caution must be exercised around industrial explosives, laboratory and industrial chemicals, and flammable gasses.

Some blast injuries include:

  • Third-degree burns
  • Ear injuries (from overpressure)
  • Gastrointestinal injuries
  • Lung injuries (blast lung)
  • Hidden brain damage
  • Blast-induced neurotrauma

Have you, or someone you love been injured in an industrial or oil refinery explosion or fire? Often, such explosions stem from negligence on behalf of an employer or co-worker. If you were injured in an explosion or fire, you are urged to contact a personal injury attorney from our directory for help filing a claim for compensation.

Related News:

Toxic Chemical Exposures Leads to Large Lawsuit

More than 24 individuals from the Mid-Ohio Valley are filing a personal injury lawsuit against the large company DuPont, for diseases caused by their alleged water contamination. The C8 Science Panel ...
Read More »

Over 170 Injured and 3 Dead in Boston Bombing

On Monday, two bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line, causing 170 injuries and killing three people. The incident was originally declared an act of terrorism, though the FBI is still ...
Read More »

Maintenance Workers Rescued After Scaffold Malfunction

The New York Fire Department had to rescue two maintenance workers in Manhattan yesterday after their scaffold malfunction while they were suspended 44 floors cleaning windows on the Hearst Tower. ...
Read More »