One of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. petrochemical history, killing 23 workers and prompting major OSHA fines totaling over $6 million.
Key Facts
- Deaths
- 23 employees killed
- Injuries
- 314 injured
- Richter scale reading
- 3.5
- Fire duration
- 10 hours to bring under control
- OSHA fine (Phillips)
- $5,666,200
- OSHA fine (Fish Engineering)
- $729,600
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A release of extremely flammable process gases used in the production of high-density polyethylene at Phillips Petroleum's Houston Chemical Complex ignited, triggering the initial explosion. The facility was located near the Houston Ship Channel in Pasadena, Texas, and was operated in part by maintenance contractor Fish Engineering and Construction, Inc.
On 23 October 1989 at approximately 1:05 PM CDT, a series of explosions rocked the Phillips Petroleum Houston Chemical Complex. The initial blast registered 3.5 on the Richter scale. Firefighting efforts were severely hampered because the explosion damaged water pipes supplying the fire hydrants, and it took 10 hours to bring the resulting fires under control.
The disaster killed 23 workers and injured 314 others. OSHA levied fines of $5,666,200 against Phillips Petroleum and $729,600 against Fish Engineering and Construction. The event drew national attention to industrial process safety standards and contributed to tightened regulatory oversight of petrochemical facilities in the United States.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 23 (other)