Accident: Dow Louisiana Operations Explosions
Location: Location: Plaquemine, LA
Accident Occurred On: 07/14/2023 | Final Report Released On: 02/26/2026
Accident Type: Explosion and Fire
Investigation Status: The CSB's final investigation was released on February 26, 2026.
On July 14, 2023, at approximately 9:15 p.m., multiple explosions occurred in the Dow Louisiana Operations Glycol II Ethylene Oxide Finishing unit in Plaquemine, Louisiana.
This incident resulted in substantial property damage at the plant, but no injuries.
Update ANSI/ASSP Z117.1 Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces to provide guidance on how to ensure that vessels that have undergone confined space entry are left clean and ready for startup after the entries are completed.
At all Dow ethylene oxide facilities, identify all process lines in ethylene oxide service that should be or are inerted and currently are not continuously monitored during normal operation. For all lines identified, determine whether the line can be eliminated, and if not, establish proper controls such as inerting and monitoring to ensure the process line is adequately inerted.
Update NFPA 350 Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work to provide guidance on how to ensure that vessels that have undergone confined space entry are left clean and ready for startup after the entries are completed.
Update NFPA 326 Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair to provide requirements for to ensure that vessels that have undergone confined space entry are left clean and ready for startup after the entries are completed.