Accident Information - Shell Martinez Refinery, November 8, 2005

This page contains information regarding an industrial accident that took place at the Shell Refinery in Martinez, California on November 8, 2005.

Summary Report

Shell Martinez Refinery at 3485 Pacheco Blvd in Martinez, reported via the Community Warning System a vapor cloud release from one of its heat exchangers at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday November 8. The notification was issued as a public health advisory (a Level 2 incident). It was not a Level 3 Shelter-in-Place because the cloud release was confined to the Shell site and it was not expected to be a health hazard.

Refinery officials informed the CCHS Hazardous Materials Program that one worker had been injured and was being taken to a local hospital. The worker received burns on their face and upper body.

Following the notification, Hazardous Materials Program staff responded to the incident within 15-20 minutes by assessing the area around the refinery. The Haz Mat responders confirmed that the cloud was confined to the site and was dissipating. The process unit where the heat exchanger was located was shut down to slow the release. The heat exchanger could not be shut off or blocked because there was hot oil in the area of the shut- off valves, making it inaccessible.

At approximately 9:19 p.m., Sheriff's Dispatch received a report from a Martinez resident about oil droplets on their car. Haz Mat responded to the address and confirmed that there was oil on cars in the area. That area is approximately one half a mile from the refinery. Because there were no immediate health concerns related to the oil drops, no further health advisories were issued.

Why was there no Shelter-In-Place?

When the refinery called in the incident to the Community Warning System, the oil was already on the ground in the immediate area of the refinery. A Shelter-in-Place is called when there is an expected health impact to the community. There was none from this incident.

How are people notified of these advisories?

For level 2 advisories like this one, where there is no expected health impact, the information is transmitted to KCBS radio and to Bay City News, the local wire services and through the Emergency Digital Information Services, which is sent to subscribers. In a level 3, where there is an expected health impact, besides these mechanisms, the Community Warning System sirens sound, the Telephone Emergency Notification System calls residents in the affected are and the NOAA weather radio broadcasts an alert.

What further investigation will be done of this incident?

The County's Hazardous Materials Incident Notification policy requires that the facility - Shell Martinez Refinery - submit a written report within 72 hours to the Hazardous Materials Programs, and this report has been filed [see 72 Hour Report by Shell (PDF, 5pp.)]. In addition, a more complete 30-day report is required. Shell will also be required, under the provisions of the County Industrial Safety Ordinance, to do a "root cause analysis" to determine the underlying causes of the accident. These reports will be available for public review.

Is there a way to contact Shell for claims?

Shell has a telephone number set up specifically for claims: 1-888-547-2397.

What can the public do if it has further questions or concerns?

Contact the Hazardous Materials Program at 925-646-2286 or email rsawyer@hsd.cccounty.us

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