Work involving chemical exposure, with or without chemical explosion, generally covers:
Reconstruction of accidents involving chemicals, gases and hazardous materials determines whether such chemicals, gases and materials caused or contributed to an accident. Reconstruction of accidents involving failure of materials of construction determines whether the materials failed due to unsuitability in use under intended conditions or their use was outside of intended conditions of use, according to instructions, specifications, codes or standards. Work in this area also generally includes determining whether revision of packaging, containment, method of use and/or warnings and the instructions for use was required for safety.
- determining whether containment systems or packaging for chemicals and gases were:
- defective in design, manufacture or installation
- determining whether the manner that chemicals or gases were used was hazardous
MAAFE
- determining whether the hazardous use of the chemicals was due to:
- deviation from the instructions for use
- as a result of a lack of instructions for safe use
- household cleaning chemicals in plastic bottles
- industrial and commercial cleaning chemicals in barrels
- industrial and commercial cleaning chemicals used in cleaning equipment at the time of accident
- uncured concrete (cement, aggregate and water) delivered pre-mixed by truck
- dry cement, and dry concrete (cement and aggregate) in packaging for mixing with water
MAAFE
- fasteners and associated fastened materials (at each end of the fastener) used in various ways with various equipment and components, including industrial, commercial, and residential equipment and components
- determining the chemicals involved in the explosion, when there is an explosion
- MAAFE
- determining if other chemicals were inadvertently involved
This makes chemicals with incomplete Warnings or Warnings which are erroneous to one degree or another, a particular hazard, particularly with chemicals sold outside industrial commerce. Chemicals sold outside industrial commerce can be very dangerous. These chemicals are sold to the general public for personal use and for use in their homes and gardens, to professionals who use them in their work activities, such as in cleaning, maintenance and construction, to farmers and to others for various uses. Chemicals sold to the general public, farmers, professionals and others outside industrial commerce include cleaning products, maintenance products (for example, pool chemicals), pesticides, herbicides, building materials, personal care products, etc. Many of these chemicals are dangerous, either when in contact with body parts and/or from violent interactions with other chemicals sold outside industrial commerce, as well as chemicals sold within industrial commerce. Warnings are extremely important for the safe use of chemicals and materials that contain chemicals.
Only very rarely is a chemical pure when sold in commerce. Essentially all chemical products are mixtures of chemicals, both chemicals desired to be in the mixture and chemicals which are too difficult or expensive to remove from the mixture. This is true of chemicals sold to the public and chemicals sold to professionals and industry. A particular concern with chemicals is that the exact hazard is usually cloaked in mystery until the exact composition of the chemical is known. From a practical standpoint this information can only come from the supplier of the chemical in the form of a Warning.
Often the most important protection available is personal protective equipment. This is a form of safeguard. However, Warnings are required to inform the user as to when such protection is required and what specific protection is required. Warnings also must perform well in the areas of informing the user of the consequences of contact and chemical interactions, on how to avoid contact and chemical interactions, and what to do if they come into contact with chemicals.
Warnings for Chemicals and Similar Hazardous Materials
Examples of Chemicals and Materials Analyzed, and Packaging, Containments and Materials of
Construction Analyzed ● see discussion of Warnings for chemicals in next section below
Our Engineering Analysis of Accidents involving Chemicals, Gases and Materials
Our Engineering Analysis of accidents involving Chemicals, Gases and Materials includes investigation, engineering analysis and reconstruction of the accident, as appropriate and required to address the issues.
Work involving materials failure, particularly securement failure, such as fasteners failing to secure items, generally covers:
- determining whether materials which failed, whether failing mechanically or failing to secure attachment,
were:
- defective in design, manufacture or installation
- were the proper materials for the use
- lacked adequate warnings for their proper use to avoid creating a hazardous condition
- determining whether the manner in which the materials were used created a hazardous condition
MAAFE
- determining whether the failure of the materials which failed was due to:
- deviation from the instructions for use
- as a result of a lack of instructions for safe use
Experience and Qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E. in regard to Chemicals,
Gases and Materials, including Chemical Explosions and Material Failures
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● attended engineering seminars presented by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
regularly attend additional technical courses and seminars each year to meet the requirements for continuing engineering education for the Professional Engineer's license
● over 45 years of engineering experience, with:
● 17 years experience in industrial operations, engineering design and construction assistance
● over 30 years experience in forensic engineering, including:
● working on over 1100 cases
● issuing over 700 reports and over 70 affidavits
● testifying in over 100 depositions and over 90 trials
took 4 college courses in physics and 8 college courses in chemistry, including Physical Chemistry, which covers the physics and physical aspects of chemicals and chemical reactions, including chemical explosions
over 20 incidents involving chemicals, gases and materials, have been investigated, analyzed and reconstructed as part of the forensic engineering work during over the last 30 years, including chemical explosions, concrete burns, and material failures
earned 2 Engineering degrees, Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering, and took additional post-degree coursework, with coursework in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering mechanics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering and normal psychology
at the start of forensic work, completed refresher and additional post-degree college credit coursework and continuing education coursework in mechanical engineering, metallurgy and materials
earned the Professional Engineers license (P.E.) by taking the National Council of Engineering Examiners' (NCEE) examination in Fundamentals of Engineering and the Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering sections of the NCEE examination in Principles and Practices of Engineering
designated a Diplomate Forensic Engineer by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers in accordance with the standards of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB)
<< click for a description of the typical activities and work performed
<< click for examples of Chemicals and Materials analyzed
<< click for discussion of Warnings for Chemicals and Hazardous Materials
The use of Warnings with chemicals is regulated by legislation and codes and standards with requirements for providing significant safety information in prescribed forms. These requirements take into consideration the very restricted role that Safeguards can take in use of chemicals, thus putting the safety burden on Warnings, particularly for the public and professionals outside industrial commerce. This important safety role for Warnings is also true for similar hazardous materials which are hazardous at least partially because they contain chemicals. Other hazardous material which are primarily chemicals or in which chemicals are an important factor include such materials as concrete, (dry) cement and some wall board formulations.
Our work includes engineering analysis of the containment or delivery method of the associated chemicals, gases and hazardous materials. Our work includes engineering analysis of materials of construction, and reconstruction of containment failure and material failure, including securement failure, when such has occurred. Our work includes assessment of the activities of persons involved in the accident, chemical delivery, and/or materials failure, particularly in regard to the handling of hazardous material and/or the failure of materials. Our work includes assessment of the use of safeguards and warnings, and their effectiveness, and assessment of the adherence to instructions for use and adherence to applicable codes, standards and recommended practices on the part of the user, manufacturer, supplier, etc.
Our Work with Chemicals, Gases, Materials, and Related Subjects and Issues - is largely about the properties of chemicals, gases and materials and the consequences of these properties. Our work includes determination of the cause(s) of accidents associated with these materials, including issues with labeling, delivery and containment of chemicals and gases, and correct use of materials of construction (MOC), including with securement, such as fasteners. These accidents may include contact with chemicals, gases and other hazardous materials, such as uncured concrete, which results in injury, usually chemical burns or injury from inhalation. These accidents may include chemical explosions, often with household chemicals, resulting in injury or property damage. These accidents may involve failure of materials of construction, including containment materials and securement materials, such as fasteners. Insofar as failure of materials of construction is a factor in equipment or component failure, this work would overlap with our work with equipment and components as described elsewhere in this website.
● Chemical Exposure ● Chemical Explosions ● Materials Failure
● Household, Industrial and Commercial Chemicals and Materials
● Concrete ● Fasteners ● proper use of Materials of Construction
● Labeling, Delivery, Containment and Use of Chemicals and Gases
Table of Contents - Chemicals, Gases & Materials Page - also including Delivery, Packaging, Containment and related subjects - links to content on this page
Consultation is available before starting a case. We invite you to
consult with us. There is no charge for an initial phone consultation.
Call us, or if you prefer we can schedule the consultation in advance.
Consultation with James D. Madden, PE, a Professional Engineer, and Forensic
Engineering Consulting and Testifying Expert Witness, is available to the client at all
times during the work - before, during, and after the investigation,
engineering analysis, reconstruction, report, and any other work on the case.
Download a Summary or Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume' for James D. Madden, P.E.,
email us, and bookmark this website.
Qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer
Downloads and Links - Curriculum Vitae, Email and Bookmark
For mailing address, phone, fax and email address click a button below the Fee Schedule section.
Contact us by phone, fax, mail or email for a copy of the Fee Schedule for charges for engineering
and consulting services and testimony. Click a button below for contact information.
Over the last 30 years we have regularly worked on accidents which occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and nearby, including inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, with reports and testimony. During these 30 years we have also worked on accidents which occurred in other states, and equipment and facilities located in other states, with inspections of accident sites, equipment, and facilities, from Utah and Kansas to Vermont and North Carolina, with reports and testimony for these accidents, when applicable.
Geographic Area of Practice - North America
Contact us to discuss your case by phone at NO CHARGE.
This consultation can be scheduled in advance to meet your schedule.
● verbal reports, by telephone or in face-to-face conferences
We present the results of our investigations, engineering analyses and reconstructions in
the client's choice of any, or all, of the following:
Presentation of results of our work
Our work investigating, analyzing and reconstructing accidents, and presenting the results, may include any
or all of the following, depending on the needs of the case:
Our Typical Work Activities and Products, when warranted by the case
● written reports and affidavits
● deposition testimony, including video deposition
● trial testimony and arbitration testimony
James D. Madden, P.E., while performing Forensic Engineering work full-time for over
the last 30 years, for both plaintiff and defendant, has to date:
Forensic Engineering Work by Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E.
● completed over 1100 cases
● written and issued over 700 reports
● testified in over 100 depositions
● written and issued over 70 affidavits
● testified in over 90 trials
Examples of Chemicals, Gases, Materials, Materials of Construction, Packaging and Containments that have been Analyzed
■ Presentation of The Results of Our Work
■ Other Experience & Qualifications
■ Curriculum Vitae, CV, Resume'
■ Contact Us by Phone, Mail or Email
■ Consult, before and after assignment
■ Fee Schedule Availability
See details of the forensic work throughout this website, and a summary on the Employment Page.
The qualifications of James D. Madden, P.E., Senior Forensic Engineer, Consulting and Testifying
click on the underlined squares to link to the subjects
■ Our Forensic Engineering Work - number of ● Cases ● Reports ● Affidavits ● Testimonies
■ Warnings for Chemicals, Gases and Similar potentially Hazardous Materials
^^ click on buttons to go to these pages ^^
Our Work With Chemicals, Gases, Materials, Materials of Construction, Packaging, Containment and Related Subjects & Issues
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Bookmark this site by typing Control D ('Ctr' + 'D').
■ Engineering Analysis of Chemical & Material Accidents
■ Qualifications in regard to Chemicals and Materials
■ Our Typical Work Activities and Products
■ Geographic Area available for Work
■ Links to Other Pages (left sidebars)
● inspection of the accident site, such as a roadway, outdoor facilities, building or industrial facilities
inspection of the involved equipment, in current condition, including in damaged condition (such as crashed vehicles); and when available for operation, during operation (such as industrial equipment)
● interviewing witnesses (often during the inspection of the accident site, product and/or equipment)
coordinating or interfacing with others while they are preparing specialized exhibits such as video animations and videos of demonstrations
review and study of case documents, evidence and applicable codes, standards, regulations and recommended practices
● written reports and affidavits, and exhibits
drawings, calculations, graphical analyses, computer analyses, etc. as required to analyze and reconstruct the accident, and to present the engineering analysis and reconstruction
● testing accident items and exemplar items (such as consumer products)
● photography and/or video of the accident site and involved equipment
● testimony in deposition, trial and arbitration
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over 30 Years Investigating, Analyzing, Reconstructing & Testifying about Accidents
Forensic Engineering & Scientific Accident Reconstruction
1
| > Traffic Accidents, Crashes |
| > Premises, Bldg, Property |
| incl. Slips, Trips & Falls |
| > Workplace - Industrial, |
| Commercial, Construction, |
| Farm, Forest, Extraction |
| > Equipment and Machinery |
| > Equip. Fire or Explosion, |
| > Hazardous Combustion, |
| incl. Carbon Monoxide |
| (CO) death or poisoning |
| > Consumer Products |
| > Chemicals and Materials |
| incl. Gases & Compounds |
Basic Forensic Specialties
Main Forensic Specialties
Link to Chemicals, Gases and Materials Website
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Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction
Madden
Accident
Analysis,
Investigation,
Reconstruction
Copyright 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 by Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, and by James D. Madden, P.E. All rights reserved.
This website contains photographs which are licensed with restrictions that prohibit downloading, reproduction, re-publication or re-transmission.
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions routinely for accidents / incidents and cases located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York, in the technical areas which are noted in this website, as well as providing expert reports and testifying in court proceedings in these states in the capacity of an Expert Witness, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials. Forensic Engineering work has also performed in, and/or for cases in, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Kansas and Utah, with testimony in deposition and court in West Virginia and Kansas.
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions for accidents / incidents and cases in the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown, Mansfield, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lima, Findlay, Marietta and Steubenville, Ohio, as well elsewhere throughout Ohio, and the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as elsewhere throughout western and central Pennsylvania, and the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron, Michigan, as well as elsewhere in southern Michigan, and the metropolitan areas of Buffalo and Syracuse, New York, as well as elsewhere in western and central New York state. In many of these areas James D. Madden, P.E. has provided expert reports and testified in the capacity of an Expert Witness in court proceedings, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials.
Latest updates to the overall document and activity counts (reports, affidavits, cases, trials, and depositions), and counts of the number of individual specialty cases reported in this website were completed 7/15/2020. The updates of the overall document and activity counts and the counts of the number of individual specialty cases for the period between 12/2007 and 7/15/2020 were based only on the documents produced, and thus are under-counts (i.e. cases without a report or affidavit were not included in the counts).
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction
1700 West Market Street, Suite 318, Akron, Ohio 44313
or contact us for our Cleveland Ohio address
phone: 440-838-0640 or 440-832-9540, fax: 440-838-1192
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E., is available for Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses, Accident Reconstructions, and testimony in depositions, hearings, arbitrations, and trials, for cases located throughout North America.
