“Let Me Tell You…………….” The impact of Eastman’s Aniline Plant Explosion on Process Safety Awareness

On October 4, 1960, Eastman Chemical Company suffered the worst accident in its 83-year history, when an aniline manufacturing facility exploded. 16 people were killed, and more than 400 injured as a result of the blast. This paper analyzes the incident and its aftermath using both historical records and modern analytical techniques. The results provide useful insight into both the technical and cultural safety issues raised, as well as valuable information that can be applied to current processes.