Danversport Explosion

Progress slow on safety reforms

Paul Leighton
Published: November 20, 2007

When a small, virtually unknown chemical plant exploded in the middle of the night and flattened a Danversport neighborhood, the question arose in everyone's mind | could the same thing happen where I live?

One year later, the question still lingers. The shocking blast is spurring changes to prevent a reoccurrence in Danvers or a similar accident somewhere else, but it is a slow and sometimes painful process.

"I feel as though a lot of progress has been made since Nov. 23," said Susan Tropeano, a member of the SAFE neighborhood group that formed after the explosion. "However, it is daunting how long it takes to do these things."

The explosion exposed the lack of oversight of smaller businesses that work with hazardous chemicals. Two of the agencies that oversee regulations | the state fire marshal's office and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration | had never inspected the plant. And, despite a state law that calls for an annual inspection, the Danvers Fire Department had not been inside the building since 2002 -- and that was not to inspect, but to consult on installing a new fire suppression system.

The state responded to demands for more oversight by creating a new inspection program last May. The Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, as it is called, teams inspectors from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection with the state fire marshal's office and local fire departments.

As part of the pilot program, inspectors were scheduled to visit 40 small to mid-size businesses across the state, then evaluate the results to determine what to do next.

DEP spokesman Joe Ferson said more than 40 businesses have been inspected so far. But the pilot program is still ongoing and no information will be released until it is completed, he said.

"We hope to have something soon," Ferson said. "I can't be more specific."

The new inspection team has visited plants in Danvers and Beverly, according to the fire chiefs in those communities. Danvers Chief James Tutko said a team of about 15 people spent six hours inspecting Devcon, an adhesives manufacturer on Endicott Street, on Aug. 23 and found only minor problems.

The team also came to Beverly in September to inspect Symmetricom, a communications equipment manufacturer on Tozer Road, and found no major problems, according to Beverly Fire Chief Richard Pierce.

Pierce said the state inspection team provided expertise in chemical storage and handling that his department does not have.

"I'd like to see that expanded," he said. "It gives help to my inspectors on what to look for."

Still no annual inspections

Still, the 40 inspections constitute a fraction of the estimated 15,000 small and mid-sized handlers of hazardous chemicals throughout the state. And local fire chiefs say their inspectors don't have the time or training to inspect hazardous chemicals every year.

Even in Danvers, the Fire Department has still not visited the 35 businesses that have permits to store hazardous waste. Earlier this month Tutko announced a plan to inspect those businesses starting March 1.

Tutko said it has taken more than a year to begin the inspections because, "we wanted to come up with a comprehensive program. It's something we've been discussing for a couple of months and looking at the most practical way of doing it."

Even if their departments do conduct inspections, fire chiefs say their inspectors lack the training in hazardous chemicals to detect such issues as improper ventilation, one of the problems that led to the Danversport explosion.

State Rep. Ted Speliotis of Danvers has filed legislation that would require a fire inspector in each local department to receive such training. Speliotis said legislators will also look at possible changes in the state fire code, such as requiring automatic shutoff valves. The state fire marshal's investigation said a worker failed to shut off a steam-heat system on the night before the explosion.

"The Danvers explosion has really put this issue in the forefront of public safety in the commonwealth," Speliotis said. "It's a wonderful opportunity to take this legislation at this time."

The bill was still in committee this week and hasn't come up for a vote.

Looking at zoning

In Danvers, residents are also trying to prevent another chemical plant from being rebuilt on the same site by changing the zoning laws. A zoning change would not bar CAI and Arnel from rebuilding there because those businesses are grandfathered. But if the land were sold, the new owner would be subject to the new zoning.

"I think CAI would not rebuild," said Ann Maria Ruotolo, who lives near the site and has been active in trying to change the zoning. "But suppose they sell the lot and another chemical plant wants to come in? Right now we're vulnerable. We're extremely vulnerable. There's not enough hustle here."

The SAFE neighborhood group has also asked selectmen to create a Danvers Hazardous Material Safety Board, consisting of residents, business owners and town officials, to review permits and licenses for storing hazardous material.

Until the Danversport blast, companies could renew certificates to store flammable materials by filling out a form and paying an annual fee, with no inspection required. When CAI's certificate was automatically renewed several months after the blast, it triggered an outcry in the neighborhood -- and it was later revoked.

The proposal for the new review board is still under consideration.

Tropeano, of SAFE, said progress has been slow over the last year. But with perseverance, she said, Danvers can serve as a model for the rest of the state when it comes to protecting communities from the dangers of hazardous materials.

"It's understandable (that it takes so long)," she said. "It's not because everybody's not trying. We're dealing with this on a daily basis."

Are we safer?

What's new

Inspections: Teams of state and local inspectors began inspecting chemical plants throughout the state in May under a pilot program. They have inspected about 40 of the estimated 15,000 small and mid-sized businesses, including one plant in Danvers.

What's proposed

Training: State Rep. Ted Speliotis of Danvers has filed legislation requiring that a fire inspector in each local department receive training in chemical inspections. The bill is still in committee.

Storage permits: A neighborhood group has asked selectmen to create a Danvers Hazardous Material Safety Board, consisting of residents, business owners and town officials, to review permits and licenses for storing hazardous material. The proposal is under review.

Zoning: Neighbors have proposed changing zoning in Danversport to prevent a chemical plant from being rebuilt on the site. Still pending.

What has not changed

Annual inspections: Fire departments in Danvers, Beverly, Salem and other communities are still not conducting annual inspections, required by law, of businesses with permits to store hazardous chemicals. Danvers plans to begin inspecting businesses in March.