Two contract workers died in October at the Deer Park PEMEX refinery after unintentionally opening a flanged connection that released hydrogen sulfide gas. Click2Houston reported that the incident occurred not from a procedural failure, but from mistakenly opening the wrong pipe, which was located just five feet from the intended one.
The incident resulted in severe outcomes: one worker was pronounced dead at the scene, while another from a nearby contracting company passed away shortly after due to exposure to the gas. Two other workers, located less than 250 feet away, were also affected, with one later dying from the exposure, according to ABC13. Following the event, Highway 225 was closed, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for several hours in the Deer Park and Pasadena areas.
The families of the victims have filed legal action against PEMEX, PMI Services of North America, and Shell USA, seeking justice and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. One lawsuit, filed in Harris County on behalf of 28-year-old Jose Perez, includes allegations of negligence, such as inadequate evacuation procedures and equipment maintenance issues. Benny Agosto Jr., managing partner at Abraham Watkins Law Firm, which represents the Perez family, stated in an interview with ABC13 that the event could have been prevented if proper procedures and safety protocols had been followed.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has its eye set on several aspects of the refinery's operations, including permit-to-work practices, emergency systems, and risk assessments, among others. "Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic substance that can result in serious injury and death even at low concentrations," CSB Chairperson Steve Owens told Click2Houston. The CSB has committed to conducting a thorough investigation, though it lacks the authority to impose fines or citations. Its primary focus remains on developing recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
