Chemical blast triggers stricter regulation

CARSON CITY -- Survivors of a Sierra Chemical Co. blast listened intently as Nevada's fire marshal told lawmakers his office can't inspect all the hazardous materials plants it is supposed to oversee.

Gaps in county-level inspections came to light after a January 1998 explosion killed four workers at the Sierra Chemical explosives plant in Washoe County east of Reno.

Fire Marshal Marvin Carr does not oversee such companies in Reno or Las Vegas, which are covered by Washoe and Clark County officials. But he has all 15 other counties in Nevada to inspect.

"The bottom line is: The fire marshal is unable to fulfill that obligation. We have one hazardous materials inspector for the entire state," said Carr, who had asked for eight investigators in his original budget.

Then perhaps the office should do a better job of prioritizing its duties, Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Chairman Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, said Thursday. Townsend didn't offer additional funds, and Carr didn't ask for them at the hearing.

"We need to look at what these agencies are doing that's not as important," Townsend said. "Painting white lines is not as important as inspecting these facilities."

Following the explosion, a special commission investigated the way in which such plants are regulated, coming up with nearly 30 suggested improvements. One is to have a single agency track all inspections in the state.

Tom Stoneburner, director of the Northern Nevada Alliance for Workers' Rights, said people living next to chemical plants assume there is more government oversight than actually exists.

"The community felt that an industry such as this would be highly regulated, but we found out it was actually shockingly unregulated," he said.

At the time of the blast, Sierra Chemical had no business license, no fire inspections in the previous five years and almost no building permits since 1974.

Bob Fulkerson, director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said the commission's proposals sent to the Legislature covered most concerns - but didn't cover two important areas.

He said he would like to see transportation of hazardous materials by railroads reported as well as a state law that triples fines if an employee dies due to a company's negligence. The fines would also go to the victim's family.

"Families need that money much more than the state," he said. "Many families lose their breadwinner when these workers are killed."

Carlos Alcala, who was burned in the explosion, attended the hearing. He said he supported the changes the commission recommended. He was one of the 20 employees at Sierra Chemical making a nickel to 12 cents for each explosive booster canister filled.

Such piecework payment would be outlawed under one of the bills legislators will consider. Lawmakers will also hear a bill requiring explosives manufacturers to train workers in a language they understand. Most employees at Sierra Chemical were Hispanic and spoke little English.

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