CSB Investigation Update for Yenkin-Majestic Incident

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) continues to investigate the incident at Yenkin-Majestic in Columbus, Ohio. The following is an update on the investigation.

The CSB continues to work with Yenkin-Majestic on field investigative activities to retrieve physical evidence. Tank cleaning, waste removal, and demolition activities have been ongoing since April to access key pieces of physical evidence inside the resin plant. Investigators accessed Kettle 3’s manway cover last week for the first time, where the initial flammable vapor release occurred on the night of the incident. Investigators retained the manway lid and rupture disk for further examination.

The CSB is developing plans to inspect and test some evidentiary items, including electrical components, resin samples, and process equipment, at off-site testing facilities in 2022. Investigative activities are being conducted via procedures and protocols according to the ESCA (evidentiary and site control agreement) between Yenkin-Majestic, OSHA, and the CSB.

Most of the resin plant, except for the structure immediately surrounding Kettle 3, has been demolished. OSHA completed their inspection and posted their press release in October 2021. The Columbus Division of Fire investigators completed their investigation in November 2021. The CSB investigation is ongoing.

The CSB’s core mission activities include conducting incident investigations; formulating preventive or mitigative recommendations based on investigation findings and advocating for their implementation; issuing reports containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations arising from incident investigations; and conducting studies on chemical hazards.