[Haichuan Chemical Accident Information] The cause of the fire in Judubang, Zhaoqing, Guangdong was the exothermic reaction of styrene self-polymerization

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Municipal emergency management bureaus at or above the local level, the central government in Guangdong and relevant provincial enterprise groups: At around 5:35 on August 31, 2019, a fire broke out in Warehouse D (Class A warehouse) of Zhaoqing Judubang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Judubang Company") located in Zhaoqing High-tech Zone. The fire area was about 500 square meters. Although no casualties were caused, the fire lasted for nearly 4 hours and had a severe social impact. After preliminary investigation, it was determined that a large amount of styrene in stock self-aggregated and released heat, causing a fire when effective temperature control measures were not taken in the warehouse and the polymerization inhibitor failed. The specific reasons are under further investigation. Judging from the current situation, the accident exposed many outstanding problems in the safety production management of Judubang Company.: The legal representative of Judubang Company is the general manager (actual controller) of the company, but it is inconsistent with the main person in charge stated in the "Safety Production License". Since 2019, it has only presided over 2 safety production meetings. The main person in charge has no responsibility and is seriously absent from the performance of his duties. The corporate safety management structure is extremely imperfect and does not cover all employees and positions. The professional level of the company's safety management personnel is low. None of the only four safety management personnel have chemical backgrounds, and they are not equipped with registered safety engineers as required. Enterprises have a weak awareness of safety risks. From general managers to safety managers to front-line warehouse managers, they are not familiar with the safety risks of styrene, a key hazardous chemical under supervision. They are not aware of the dangerous characteristics of styrene, such as its need for temperature-controlled storage and its tendency to self-aggregate and release heat. The company's on-site management is extremely chaotic. After the tanker transports styrene to the factory, it is automatically packed into plastic barrels (1 ton/barrel). It is stored in excess stacks in a Class A warehouse without temperature control measures. The use of plastic barrels to contain styrene seriously violates the "Industrial Styrene" (GB/T3915-2011) standards in terms of packaging material, capacity, storage conditions, etc. A large amount of raw materials and products are stored in the production workshop, and the problem of over-storage in the warehouse is prominent. The accident also revealed that the local regulatory authorities failed to seriously learn the lessons from the "8·6" warehouse fire accident at Guangkang Biochemical Company in Yingde City, failed to implement the regulatory requirements of the provincial department, failed to strictly control licensing approvals, and did not perform adequate inspections. The "August 31" fire accident in Judubang Company was the second hazardous chemical accident that occurred since August. At the same time, at about 10 o'clock that day, a fire broke out at Hainan Huiying Logistics Co., Ltd., located at No. 30 Jinkang West Road, Mazhang District, Zhanjiang City, which stores dangerous chemicals such as calcium carbide, tinate water, ethephon, and paint. No casualties were caused, and it was suspected of illegally storing and operating dangerous chemicals. Two accidents involving hazardous chemicals occurred on the same day, and they occurred during the 100-day campaign of "preventing risks, ensuring safety, and welcoming Daqing". The social impact was very bad.