SIX SIGNIFICANT DISASTERS

The study of case histories provides valuable information to chemical

engineers involved with safety. This information is used to improve
procedures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The four most cited accidents (Flixborough, England; Bhopal, India;

Seveso, Italy; andPasadena, Texas) are presented here. All these
accidents had a significant impact on public per-ceptions and the
chemical engineering profession that added new emphasis and
standards in the practice of safety.

The Flixborough accident is perhaps the most documented chemical

plant disaster. TheBritish government insisted on an extensive
investigation.

Flixborough, England
The accident at Flixborough, England, occurred on a Saturday in June
1974. Although itwas not reported to any great extent in the United
States, it had a major impact on chemicalengineering in the United
Kingdom. As a result of the accident, safety achieved a much higher
priority in that country.

The Flixborough Works of Nypro Limited was designed to produce

70,000 tons per yearof caprolactam, a basic raw material for the
production of nylon. The process uses cyclohexane,