re: Survivors of deadly DeRidder paper mill explosion awarded $104,000,000

So, no one knew who was responsible for opening the valve that would have bled the turpentine off? Who is John Galt?

I'd like to see their DEI hiring record for supervision at that plant.

quote:

---

I’ll just comment on the wtf moment as far as the lockout procedure went


How does no one not realize that there’s a level in that tank before even working on it? Or why wasn’t there a fire blanket at minimum?

---

They weren’t working on the tank, they were working on a line that passed above the tank. But you’re right that there should have been a fire blanket (although according to the video, the CSB wasn’t able to conclude whether falling slag actually started the fire).

Perhaps the most puzzling question for me is why a tank that can potentially fill with turpentine wasn’t designed with blanket gas, which would have prevented the flammable atmosphere in the first place.

As usual it takes a cascade of failures and poor decisions to lead to an outcome like this.
- Turpentine isn’t skimmed out of the vessel due to poor operating discipline.
- Tank cools and sucks in air through the vacuum relief valve due to poor design.
- Hot work permit issued without considering the potential for a fire hazard inside the tank; poor planning.
- No fire blankets to prevent sparks/slag from falling on the tank; also poor planning.

quote:

---

Well the lawyers probably got half of that,

---

I'd be willing to bet it was more than half

quote:

---

The lawyers always benefit more. Legalized crooks.

---

Without those lawyers you can go back to early 20th century work environments where American companies abused its workers and these families would get nothing

quote:

---

Did the families of those that parished receive any type of settlement?

---

I would assume so

Min 40% + an extra hour anytime they thought about the case.

quote:

---

Min 40% + an extra hour anytime they thought about the case.

---

and every last sheet of paper, stamp, FedEx, and anything done by a paralegal or secretary, all billed at attorney rate of course

Every once in a while, I wish I could be Office Space accident guy.

quote:

---

And whatever expenses they have are likely a fraction of the 33-40% fee.

---