Three Die In Georgia Plastics Plant Explosion

The early morning dark and quiet outside the Amoco Polymers plant in Augusta, GA, -- and the sense of wellbeing shared by Amoco workers -- were shaken by the sound of two explosions yesterday. The explosions killed three workers who were repairing malfunction equipment in a unit that manufactures metal fasteners. The unit was shut down for repairs on Monday night.

The explosions occurred around 2:45 a.m., according to Pam Barbara, a plant manager. Approximately 25 of the facility's 200 employees were on site at the time of the explosions and fire. Two workers died at the scene and one was pronounced dead at the Medical College of Georgia. The employees killed by the blast are Heinrich Kohl, 25; George Sanders, 42; and John Rowland, 35. The company reports that no other employees were injured.

"It's just awful," exclaimed Barbara. "We practice for this, but the gravity of it when it actually happens is tremendous."

Firefighters brought a small fire related to the explosions under control and were able to reopen roads surrounding the plant by the time morning shift employees arrived. They were met by counselors and a minister, and the company suspended operations temporarily. There was very little structural damage to the building.

Matthew Parker of Augusta, area director for the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), said that "as an organization dedicated to reducing death and injury in the workplace we are deeply saddened" by the events at BP Amoco Chemical.

"Through collective and individual efforts our members strive every day while working in different industries to increase safety at their work sites, to educate their communities and management on how to identify and correctly implement safety systems -- all working to reduce these type of accidents," said Parker.

The cause of the blasts was not immediately known. Barbara said the company has begun an investigation into the cause of the explosions, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is on site as well. The facility is operated by BP Amoco Chemicals, a division of BP Amoco.

According to BP Amoco, the deaths were the first accident-related fatalities at the facility.

Subscribe to our free e-mail newsletter.

Click for a free Buyer's Guide listing.