Safety Investigators Probe Explosion at New York City Building

April 29, 2002
Teams of local, state and federal investigators are on site in New York City this week, following up on an explosion that rocked the Chelsea area of the city on Thursday.

Teams of local, state and federal investigators are on site in New York City this week, following up on an explosion that rocked the Chelsea area of the city on Thursday.

The blast, which injured 42 people, some critically, sent people running for cover, fearing another terrorist attack. Investigators from the fire department believe that the explosion was caused when a spark from an electric pump being used by employees of Kaltech Industries Group, a sign manufacturer, to remove chemicals from a leaking drum ignited chemicals stored in the basement of the building. Investigators from the New York City Fire Department found more than 1,000 gallons of acids and flammable chemicals that they said were improperly stored.

The fire department issued four safety summons to the company on Thursday night. They include: illegal storage of flammable materials; illegal storage of paint; failing to have a permit for a basement compressor; and failure to have an employee with a fire department certificate of fitness to operate a compressor.

As a result of his department''s initial investigation, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta asked the Manhattan district attorney''s office to investigate if any criminal charges are warranted.

Michael Posner, an attorney for Kaltech, said the company had no immediate comment, adding, "Our concern goes out to the workers, their families and others who might have been injured."

Investigators from the area Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) office were on the scene within 20 minutes of the explosion. OSHA spokesperson Kate Dugan acknowledged that the agency has begun an investigation, but said she would not discuss details until it was complete. She did admit that she expected the investigation could be "lengthy." According to Dugan, Kaltech has no history of OSHA violations.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation declared the building a hazardous waste site and hired Trade Winds Environmental Restoration Corp. of Bay Shore to remove any remaining chemicals.

Investigators from the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) are on site to determine whether hazardous materials were stored in the mixed-use building and how the safety of those materials was managed. The team includes CSB lead investigator Steve Selk, CSB Board Member Dr. Gerald V. Poje, and two additional investigators.

The CSB is an independent federal agency whose mission is to ensure the safety of workers and the public by preventing chemical incidents. The board determines the root causes of accidents, issues safety recommendations, and performs special studies on chemical safety issues.

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!