Lack of an Operational Confirmation System——Reflection on the Bombing Event of Jilin Petrochemical Double Benzene Plant

The explosion that occurred on November 13 at the Shuangfen Plant of Jilin Petrochemical, which resulted in five fatalities, one person missing, over 60 injuries, and the displacement of thousands of residents, has been officially attributed to a critical operational failure. The incident was directly caused by negligence during a plant shutdown, when a valve that should have been closed was left open. This mistake led to an abnormally high temperature in the feed system for an extended period, eventually causing a rupture and triggering a chain reaction of explosions. It's alarming to realize that a single missed step—closing just one valve—could lead to such catastrophic consequences. When I first read about this accident, I couldn't help but think: what if there had been a second person to double-check the operator’s actions? Perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided. However, based on my understanding, such a verification system is rarely implemented in China, even in well-managed chemical companies like Jilin Petrochemical. Analyzing past safety incidents, including this one, we often find that many accidents stem from human error. These include mistakes in operation, using unsafe equipment, entering hazardous areas without proper precautions, and mishandling flammable or explosive materials. Although chemical companies typically have detailed safety protocols, compliance is not always guaranteed. Employees may lack sufficient training, be overly tired, or lose focus, all of which can result in unsafe behavior. In most cases, production tasks are carried out by a single operator, who makes decisions based solely on their own judgment without any supervision or second opinion. Over time, repetitive work can lead to complacency and a lack of attention, increasing the risk of errors. These hidden dangers are hard to detect, yet they pose serious threats to safety. Therefore, I strongly believe that all chemical companies should implement an operational confirmation system, especially for high-risk procedures. Each critical step should be verified and signed off by another person. While this may seem inconvenient, it significantly reduces the likelihood of mistakes and ensures that every action is performed correctly. Ultimately, this approach can help prevent future disasters and protect both workers and the surrounding communities.

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