PEMEX

A chemical leak in Deer Park that left two people dead and several injured earlier this year was triggered when two contract workers opened the faulty flange, according to the US Chemical Safety Board.

Two people died and about 35 others were injured after hydrogen sulfide was released from a pipeline at the Deer Park industrial plant in October. At least 13 of the 35 people injured in the incident were sent to nearby hospitals.

According to an update on the US Chemical Safety Board’s investigation, the release was triggered when two Repcon contract employees partially opened a flange connection on the faulty pipeline.

The work was supposed to be done on another, isolated pipe segment located about five feet from the flange, according to the safety board.

“Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic substance that can result in serious injury and death even at low concentrations,” CSB Chairman Steve Owens said in a news release. “This dangerous incident resulted in the death of two workers and put other workers and the surrounding communities at very serious risk.”

One of the contract workers was killed during the chemical spill.

Another contract worker from a separate company working on equipment less than 250 feet from the release also died during the release.

The Safety Board’s investigation into the incident is focused on work permits, routines for energy insulation, crisis preparedness and respiratory protection.

The investigation is ongoing.

This is a development story.