Innovation March-April 2023

The rigger was only hit with a small amount of what was actually left in the tank. The total amount of ammonia still inside was vastly underestimated as 30-40 pounds maximum —falsely characterized as “residual.” That night, the tank was purged and video footage showed the parking lot flooded with an ammonia/water mixture. Investigators estimated the actual amount of ammonia to be closer to 1,000 pounds. The following day, two riggers and the individual brokering the sale of the decommissioned equipment returned to the site. The broker had experience with ammonia systems, Before continuing disassembly, there was some discussion over whether the other tank they were working on was, in fact, empty. Those talks included the person buying the used equipment, as well as a retired refrigeration mechanic who was on site. The mechanic offered that he believed the tank did not contain ammonia, which gave the crew a confidence boost to proceed when they may otherwise have stopped. As work went on, the riggers and the broker puzzled over an inconveniently located valve handle while focusing on the removal of a section that contained the receiver and compressor. The handle was protruding past the skid, which would impede the riggers’ ability to lay the skid on its side to get it out of the building. As they discussed possible solutions, the broker turned the valve upward, opening it. He was immediately sprayed with ammonia and tried to retreat further into the building. Both riggers evacuated through a nearby open bay door, escaping the deadly cloud that formed and billowed outside. Meanwhile, inside the building, the ammonia cloud touched a spark and ignited. The fire was out quickly, but it caused significant damage. Firefighters had to cut a hole in the side of the building to extract the broker from the room where he retreated, as the only access was blocked by ammonia. He was later pronounced dead. As the large cloud of ammonia spread, neighbouring businesses in the Mount Paul Industrial Park on the Tkemlúps te Secwépemc reserve were evacuated. Emergency responders treated more than a dozen people at the scene for breathing issues. TRAGEDY WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING The circumstances leading to ammonia being left in the tank were set into motion years before the tragedy. The report noted: “organizational changes, unclear communication, and incorrect assessments, were all contributing factors to the ammonia not being removed.” but he was hired on the explicit understanding that ammonia removal was not part of the scope of work.

The P34 system on May 25, 2022, prior to removal. P hoto : T echnical S afety BC

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