On Friday, February 7, 2003, at approximately 9:30 am, an explosion ignited a fire inside a vent
collection system (VCS) at Technic Inc., a plating chemicals manufacturing and research facility located
in Cranston, Rhode Island. One employee was critically injured. Eighteen other employees were
transported to Rhode Island Hospital for medical evaluation. The vent collection system was severely
damaged, and plant operations were interrupted for several weeks.
In addition to evacuating plant employees, the Cranston Fire Department (CFD) ordered an evacuation of
residents and businesses within 0.5 mile of the facility because of concern that cyanide salts and acids
stored in the plant might combine to create toxic hydrogen cyanide gas.
According to witness testimony, the incident likely began when an employee—suspecting the plastic
ventilation duct to be clogged—tapped on it with a small hammer. The resulting explosion severely
injured his eyes and face. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) determined
that the hammer blow likely initiated an explosive reaction of chemicals inside the duct.
CSB Explosionl Report.pdf (3.16 MB)