Risk of blasts concern in Louisiana, but chemical facilities provide good jobs

Chemical plants such as the site of a fatal explosion in Louisiana are among the safest manufacturing workplaces in America.

That fact, however, doesn't stop residents and emergency responders from keeping wary eyes on the hundreds of plants stretched along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, the capital.

Explosions, chemical releases and other accidents are real threats because many of the products manufactured are volatile.

Emergency officials say they are well-drilled to respond to such threats, but residents do worry about what can happen next door.

“For the most part, day to day, month to month, year to year, you don't really think about it,” said Ascension Parish Councilman Travis Turner, who lives about 4 miles from the Williams Cos. Inc, plant in Geismar. “Everybody knows somebody — a brother or cousin or uncle — who works at a plant.

“When something happened, everybody is worried about the worst-case scenario, like yesterday,” said Turner, referring to the fatal explosion Thursday at the plant.

Two workers were killed and dozens injured from the explosion, which could be heard for miles.

Despite such incidents, state and local officials have welcomed oil refineries, chemical plants and related industries, with their heavy capital investments and good-paying jobs.

Louisiana is experiencing a boom in new plants and expansions, driven by low natural-gas prices, as well as the area's strategic advantages.

Louisiana Economic Development counts more than $30 billion in investments announced starting in 2011 — and that doesn't include a number of upgrades. Among them is a $400 million expansion at the Williams Cos. plant.

Federal and company officials are investigating said the cause of the blast, but the FBI has ruled out terrorism.