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Dial Corp.

Description

A worker accidentally cut a hole in a pipeline, causing a cloud of green poisonous gas to spew out of the plant where it was carried by wind to nearby Tweedy Elementary School. Teachers and students were evacuated but some were hospitalized. The leak lasted for eight minutes before an employee turned off the valve. The pipeline, which was in the process of being dismantled as part of a modernization project, carried chlorine from a railroad tank car to a bleach-making vat. Approximately 80 people were injured, 24 teachers, 23 students of Tweedy Elementary School, and 22 people from Dial Corp.

Prosecutors

Unavailable

Incident Type

Chemical Exposure

County

Los Angeles

State

California

Date

February 21, 1986

Additional Materials

Folder for Dial Corp. materials

Available case materials include

  • Media Clips & Gov't. Press
  • Other Materials

Contact for Additional Information

Unavailable

Victims

First Last Age Title Employer Injury Type
Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Teacher Tweedy Elementary School Injury
Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Student None Injury
Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Dial Injury

Defendants

Name Type Title Plea Information Conviction Sentence
Daniel King Individual Director of Manufacturing Pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor Code of Regulations violation for dismantling pressurized pipelines (8 CCR Sec. 3329) Sentenced to one year probation. Under the terms of probation, all three officials will be required to follow an emergency response and evacuation plan designed by an independent safety firm.
Penal Crimes Charged

Unavailable

Other Crimes Charged

Misdemeanor Code of Regulations violation (Unspecified)

Skip Foster Individual Maintenance Supervisor Pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor Code of Regulations violation for dismantling pressurized pipelines (8 CCR Sec. 3329) Sentenced to one year probation. Under the terms of probation, all three officials will be required to follow an emergency response and evacuation plan designed by an independent safety firm.
Penal Crimes Charged

Unavailable

Other Crimes Charged

Misdemeanor Code of Regulations violation (Unspecified)

Nelson Landman Individual Plant Maintenance Manager Pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor Code of Regulations violation for dismantling pressurized pipelines (8 CCR Sec. 3329) Sentenced to one year probation. Under the terms of probation, all three officials will be required to follow an emergency response and evacuation plan designed by an independent safety firm.
Penal Crimes Charged

Unavailable

Other Crimes Charged

Misdemeanor Code of Regulations violation (Unspecified)

Dial Corporation Entity Entity Pleaded no contest to five misdemeanor Labor Code violations and one Health and Safety Code infraction for public nuisance Sentenced to one year probation. Fined $42,500.
Penal Crimes Charged

Unavailable

Other Crimes Charged

Misdemeanor violations (Unspecified)