2nd Rocket Fuel Explosion in 5 Weeks

[Orstio]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/09/13/ROCKET.TMP

A construction worker was killed Friday when a South Bay rocket fuel plant was hit by its second explosion in five weeks.

The unidentified male contract worker was killed in what was described as a small explosion while doing maintenance modifications on a solid rocket fuel mixing facility at about 11 a.m. The building is part of the Pratt & Whitney Space Propulsion Division complex in the rural hills south of San Jose.

[yale]

The Aug 7 explosion:

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/6495365.htm

[Skyjim]

Working with solids is dangerous.  Any residue is REALLY dangerous, since theoretically, the bulk fuel is no longer there, and people are allowed into the mixing areas, which are normally remotely operated. Doesn't take much to create a serious hazard.

I'll take cryogenics hazards any day...