1987: In March, a contract worker died of asphyxiation. In November, an explosion ripped through the refinery, sparking a 17-hour fire, injuring six people and causing $17 million in damages. About 100 pounds of hydrofluoric acid were released, but none of it spread beyond the refinery grounds. The explosion was blamed on an excess of hydrofluoric acid in a refinery unit.
1988: In April, a contract worker fell to his death. In July, on the same day, two accidents occurred. Chemicals exploded in a tank being cleaned, killing one worker and seriously burning two others. Earlier in the day, another explosion injured eight workers.
