HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06121990 - 1.56 TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 1-056 1 '
FROM• c tm
Mark Finucane, Director C )sta
DATE: Health Services Department (Jou*
SUBJECT: May 30, 1990
ANTIOCH BRIDGE TANK TRUCK INCIDENT, March 25, 1990
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Accept report from Health Services Director, regarding Antioch
bridge tank truck incident.
BACKGROUND
At 10:00 p.m. on March 25; 1990, a tanker truck spilled
approximately 20 gallons of hydrochloric acid at the Antioch Bridge
Toll Plaza. One toll collector was exposed to acid fumes,
resulting in a nosebleed and respiratory irritation. The victim
was treated at Delta Memorial Hospital and released; it appeared ,
that there was some delay in the decision to transport the victim
to the hospital.
CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT
The hydrochloric acid spilled from a failed rupture disk on top of
the tanker. The rupture disk is intended to provide safety relief
during pressure assisted unloading. According to the transporter,
rupture disks are pressure tested annually, and spark tested every
six months . Failed disks must be replaced in order to unload a
tanker, making it improbable that a tanker could be loaded with a
failed disk. Historically, it was noted that load shifting (due
to acceleration, braking, climbing hills, descending hills) could
..cause rupture disks located toward either the front or back of the
tank to fail . For this reason, rupture disks are currently located
near the middle of the tank. In fifteen years, this is the only
failure of a rupture disk so located, in the transporter's
experience. The failure may have been due to an anomalous material
defect.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
In addition to the design and maintenance measures undertaken by
the transporter, Dow Chemical makes a visual inspection of tanker
trucks leaving their facility. A wipe test of the tanker exterior
is also made with pH paper.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: '^ YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER '
SIGNATURE S :
ACTION OF BOARD ON jQN 12 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN,ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES. AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN..
CC: Environmental Health ATTESTED JUN 12 19Jo
Health Services Department PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
County Administrator SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY ,DEPUTY
M382/7-83