DERR-2024-006489

Jennifer Nelson <[e-mail]>
Fwd: Thatcher Company 6-19-19 SO2 release written follow-up notification
Morgan Atkinson <[e-mail]>Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 10:20 AM
To: Jennifer Nelson <[e-mail]>
Jennifer,
I received a call this morning about this incident in 2019 where they did not submit a written follow-up report.
Is this something you file for the incident?
Thank you,
Morgan
Morgan Atkinson
Petroleum Storage Tank Branch Manager
Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality
801-979-2512
Emails to and from this email address may be considered public records and thus subject to Utah GRAMA
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bradon Hawkins <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 9:34 AM
Subject: Thatcher Company 6-19-19 SO2 release written follow-up notification
To: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Mr. Atkinson,
As per our discussion over the phone, here is the wrien follow-up noficaon for the SO2 release that took place
June 19, 2019 internally referred to as I-19-045:
Rob Troutman (B12,8,10,11,19 Supervisor), was operang the trackmobile, and Richard Selman (B8) was working on
the ground as the spoer. They coupled the trackmobile to two KOH railcars which were posioned adjacent to
maintenance and lab area. The trackmobile was connected to Railcar GATX 220269, which was coupled to GATX
226175. While Rob performed the push/pull test to ensure cars were coupled, Richard was standing on side of railcars
in between the two which were connected. Richard confirmed cars were coupled, while Rob confirmed first railcar
was sll coupled to trackmobile. Following the coupling test, Richard proceeded to the end of railcars opposite from
locaon of trackmobile. They intended to spot Railcar GATX 226175 at the KOH unload stand which is staoned
between building 8 and building 10, as the railcars entered the Railbay 1, Richard instructed Rob to slow the speed of
the trackmobile, which Rob was already doing. Unknown to Rob and Richard, Railcar GATX 226175 had uncoupled
from GATX 220269, and rolled into Railcar ACFX 240061, which contained SO2.
The momentum of the collision snapped the liquid SO2 unloading piping. As the car was impacng the SO2 car, Rob
told Richard to get out of the area. Rob then evacuated the trackmobile and ran to the B12 Control Room and pushed
the plant-wide emergency shut-off valve to stop the leak. Rob then instructed Greg Kielsmier to use the PA system to
nofy Hazmat. Rob did not think the message was clear, so asked Greg to speak more clearly and loudly through PA
system. Rob inially did tell Greg it was an Ammonia leak, when in fact it was SO2. As clarified, on-site hazmat team
4/26/24, 4:18 PM State of Utah Mail - Fwd: Thatcher Company 6-19-19 SO2 release written follow-up notification
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=8ae212892f&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f:1797324354522691047&simpl=msg-f:17973243545226910…1/2
entered to stop the release. Backed up by Troy Burraston, Dean Thornton mounted the railcar from the side opposite
the release and closed the liquid line valve. Back-up hazmat team included Rob Troutman and Steve Frandsen who
observed from a short distance. All responding hazmat team members who entered the immediate release area were
ulizing SCBA.
Thatcher Company employees who were transported to Intermountain Medical Center for observaon include:
Vien Sivongsa (B-11 Employee)
Kam Rowberry (B-12 Employee)
Mike Chapman (B-12 Employee)
All were treated and released the same day. No addional follow-ups required.
Thatcher Company employees who were treated on-site include:
Richard Selman (B8-Spoer-HAZMAT Member)
Karl Nies (Hostler)
Jorge Lopez (B10-HAZMAT Member)
Rodney Walsh (Maintenance)
All remained on-site, were removed to fresh air and observed for any significant inhalaon issues. None reported any
connuing issues and no addional follow-ups were required.
Inial esmates were around 1000 lbs. Subsequent engineering calculaons set the total between 1000 lbs. and 9000
lbs. Material was primarily contained in the aqua ammonia tank berm (secondary containment). In concurrence with
SLCFD, it was determined the best plan was to quaranne the area and allow it to naturally dissipate.
Thatcher no longer brings any SO2 railcars on site and has not since the incident.
Bradon Hawkins
EHS Engineer, Thatcher Company
801-972-4587 x1366

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4/26/24, 4:18 PM State of Utah Mail - Fwd: Thatcher Company 6-19-19 SO2 release written follow-up notification
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=8ae212892f&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f:1797324354522691047&simpl=msg-f:17973243545226910…2/2