Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 12, 1998

98-191

Contact: Julie Sellick, Hazardous Waste & Toxics Reduction, (425) 649-7053
Ron Langley, Public Information, (425) 649-7009

Redmond firm improves safety after hazardous-waste explosion

BELLEVUE - Computer circuit-board maker Pacific Circuits, Inc. is making numerous safety improvements ordered by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in the wake of a hazardous-waste explosion at the company's Redmond manufacturing plant last July.

An investigation by the company determined that an explosion at the plant on July 15 was caused when a valve was mistakenly left open, allowing a hazardous waste to mix with a treatment chemical meant for a different kind of waste. The incompatible chemicals mixed in the plant's wastewater treatment system, causing a chemical reaction that blew a 50-foot section out of the roof covering the plant.

"They were very lucky that no one in the plant was killed or injured," said Julie Sellick, a hazardous-waste manager for Ecology. "This explosion would not have happened if the company had more extensive safety procedures and more fully trained employees."

Ecology has penalized Pacific Circuits $17,000 and ordered changes in the way it handles hazardous waste. Sellick said the company made some of the safety improvements before receiving Ecology's order. Overall the Ecology order requires Pacific Circuits to:

Evaluate equipment and procedures used in handling hazardous wastes and immediately correct problems that threaten human health or the environment;
Improve personnel training to make sure employees know how to handle hazardous wastes and can safely operate the wastewater treatment system;
Revise emergency procedures to make sure that Ecology is notified immediately when a problem arises.

"This incident is a sobering lesson for anyone who handles hazardous wastes," Sellick said. "You have to mind the details because one mistake can be disastrous."

The company has 15 days after receiving the penalty to ask Ecology to reconsider based on new information. The penalty may also be appealed within 30 days to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board in Olympia.