Fire marshal: Deadly blast may prompt stronger regulations

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 10:17 a.m.

State Fire Marshal Bryon Slobe said he's concerned because more than 40 companies and individuals licensed to manufacture and store explosives in Nevada receive little oversight.

"Nevada is sort of a black hole (for explosives inspections)," he told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "We may have to look at some stronger legislation so we can step up a little more enforcement."

Three buildings at Sierra Chemical Co.'s TNT production plant near Mustang were destroyed by Wednesday's blast. One body and parts of another have been recovered, and two other workers are still missing. Six others were injured.

A Gazette-Journal review of Nevada's explosives industry found safety laws fail to address the industry and such plants rarely are inspected.

Following Wednesday's explosion, Gov. Bob Miller told state agencies to step up their inspections of the facilities.

"I want all explosives manufacturing sites inspected again as soon as possible," Miller said.

Officials acknowledge inspections of explosives plants are long overdue, primarily because of a shortage of inspectors.

The industry is regulated by various agencies, including the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Nevada Fire Marshal's Office; Nevada Division of Occupational Safety and Health; and local fire, building and health departments.

"I don't have the staff to look at all of these (licensees)," said OSHA spokesman Calvin Murphy. "I would like to get back to every company in a short while. I have to complete other things, too. This keeps me spinning."

Slobe said his office conducts spot checks of explosives sites, but they're infrequent and mostly complaint-driven because of his limited staff. That's why his office never checked Sierra Chemical's Mustang plant, he said.

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District has not inspected the Mustang site since 1992, although quarterly inspections were required until 1997 under department policy, officials said.

"I am concerned by the whole situation," district Fire Marshal Roy Slate said, adding he has taken action to step up inspections.

The ATF inspects such companies at least once every three years, but won't provide inspection records unless a Freedom of Information request is filed, said spokeswoman Tracy Hite.