East Palestine, Ohio – The National Transportation Safety Board revealed on Tuesday that a controlled burn of chemicals following a Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio last year was deemed unnecessary. This decision came after intentional release and burning of toxic vinyl chloride from the derailed cars, despite potential health risks. NTSB officials emphasized that the train operator and its contractors failed to communicate crucial information to incident commanders, leading to the unnecessary burning of chemicals.
The NTSB returned to East Palestine to share the findings of their investigation into the 2023 train derailment and offer recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The derailment, caused by an overheated bearing on one of the railcars, raised questions about the necessity of the venting and burning of vinyl chloride. The NTSB recommended that Norfolk Southern revise its incident report to reflect that the burning of chemicals was not required.
As part of the recommendations, the NTSB suggested creating a nationwide database to track overheated wheel bearings and increasing training for Ohio volunteer firefighters. These measures, although not binding, could potentially be enforced by U.S. lawmakers to enhance safety protocols in the future. Additionally, the NTSB pointed out the need for tank cars with built-in protections to transport flammable and hazardous materials.
Furthermore, the NTSB highlighted the challenges faced in identifying hazardous chemicals on derailed trains in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of updating placards displayed on tankers to show the materials they carry. The lack of hazardous materials training for local volunteer firefighters was also addressed, with recommendations for increased training and funding similar to Pennsylvania’s model. These improvements aim to ensure better emergency response and safety for all involved.
In conclusion, the NTSB’s investigation into the East Palestine train derailment sheds light on critical safety issues surrounding train transportation of hazardous materials. By implementing the recommended changes, it is hoped that future incidents can be prevented, and emergency responders can be better equipped to handle such situations effectively.