The leak occurred when a valve failed on a container, but it is not known at this time why the failure occurred. Plant manager Randall Clements said that all the employees involved were well-trained and knowledgeable. They had worked at the plant from eight months to 40 years and all were doing the
The workers were responding to a leak of methyl mercaptan, which has a rotten-egg smell when mixed with odorless natural gas, when they were overcome around 4 a.m. CT on Sunday, according to plant manager Randall Clements, the New York Times reports.
They are Robert Tisnado, 39, and his bother Gibby Tisnado, 48. The two others were a long-time employee who had worked with the firm for 40 years and a new hire barely eight months on the job, said Randall Clements, plant manager.
"There are no words to fully express the loss we feel or the concern and sympathy we extend to the families of the employees and their co-workers," plant manager Randall Clements said in a statement. "We are in close touch with them and providing them every measure of support and assistance at this
The hospitalized worker is expected to recover, plant manager Randall Clements said. The accident occurred when the chemical methyl mercaptan, which in low concentrations is used to odorize natural gas, was released in an area of a facility in La Porte at around 4 a.m. Saturday, Jeff Suggs, emergenc