Causality

Latest Episodes:

45: Granville Apr 02, 2022

Show notes

In 1977, a commuter train from the Blue Mountains, destined for Sydney central station would derail just before Granville Station, causing a bridge to collapse and crush many aboard. It remains Australia's worst ever rail disaster that was predicted by 11 engineering department heads just a year earlier. We look at how management decisions led to a completely avoidable disaster.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Links of Interest:

Formal Investigation Extracts:

Informal Investigations:

Video:

Granville Train Disaster Documentary (Video)

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Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.
Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Kevin Koch, Shane O'Neill, Oliver Steele, Lesley Law Chan, Hafthor, Jared, Bill, Joel Maher and Katharina Will.

44: Beirut Warehouse 12 Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

In Beirut in August of 2020, an explosion at the Port of Beirut destroyed a huge part of the city. We look into how an oxidising agent, improperly handled can become an explosive and attempt to comprehend how something so dangerous was ignored repeatedly by key people, despite many warnings of an imminent disaster.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Links of Interest:

Reports into the incident:

Video and Images:

Documentary:

Ammonium Nitrate Information:

43: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

In 1911 in Manhattan, New York, a clothing factory went up in flames just before closing time. We look at how faulty equipment, poor design and a fear of theft contributed to a wholly preventable incident that had such terrible consequences, but would trigger reforms that still impact the United States, a century later.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Links of Interest:

Cornell University’s Excellent Resource on the Incident:

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Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Steven Bridle.
Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Shane O'Neill, Kevin Koch, Oliver Steele, Lesley Law Chan, Hafthor, Jared, Bill and Joel Maher.

42: Royal Canberra Hospital Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

The original Royal Canberra Hospital was flagged to be demolished in 1997 to make way for the new National Museum. A demolition via implosion was selected, but the implosion resulted in an explosion instead, and debris showered the huge crowd of onlookers with fatal consequences.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Report into the Incident:

Inquest Into The Death of Katie Bender (PDF)

Video Footage of the Demolition:

Video of Interest:

Miami Resort | Building Demolition | BlowDown

Links of Interest:

Explosives Used In Demolition:

41: Florida International University Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

The university wanted a bridge for its students over a busy roadway that would appear intriguing from afar. Instead it collapsed before it was even finished. We look into how design errors, poor peer review and denial led to a collapse that claimed six peoples lives.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Report into the Incidents:

NTSB Final Report (PDF)

Design Criteria and Bid:

Civil Structural References:

Companies Involved:

Links of Potential Interest:

Riverside Expressway:

40: Ocean Ranger May 25, 2021

Show notes

The largest semi-submersible Offshore Drilling Rig of its day, sank in a storm in 1982 whilst two smaller nearby rigs survived with minimal damage. We dive into how not closing a portlight cover, triggered a series of events that cost 84 people their lives.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Report into the Incidents:

Official Report

Links of Potential Interest:

Support Causality on Patreon
Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Chip Salzenberg.
Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Kevin Koch, Oliver Steele, Lesley Law Chan, Hafthor, Shane O'Neill and Bill.
With thanks to Gregory Hess for the topic suggestion.

39: Therac-25 Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

The successor to the Therac-6 and Therac-20 RadioTherapy machines would integrate the powerful DEC PDP-11 mini-computer to control all of the Therac-25s functions, including the safety interlocks, for the first time. In two years the 11 machines in service would overdose six people across two countries, killing three of them before they figured out why.
With John Chidgey.

This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced

Reports into the Incidents:

Links of Potential Interest:

38: Thunder River Rapids Jan 24, 2021

Show notes

A popular family-friendly ride at DreamWorld would claim the lives of four people in 2016. In nearly thirty years of operation the ride had several similar but non-fatal incidents with blame placed on the operator every time, when a three thousand dollar modification could have prevented a horrific incident.
With John Chidgey.

Investigation Report:

DreamWorld (PDF)

Links of Potential Interest:

Support Causality on Patreon
Episode Gold Producer: 'r'.
Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Kevin Koch, Oliver Steele, Lesley Law Chan, Hafthor and Shane O'Neill.

37: Variola Birmingham Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

In 1978 on the cusp of the eradication of SmallPox a Medical Photographer became infected and would ultimately die from the Variola virus. We look at how admiration, promotion and delegation led to a wholly avoidable outcome.
With John Chidgey.

Investigation Report:

The Shooter Report (PDF)

Medical Analyses:

CDC Analysis of the R0 of SmallPox (PDF)

Links of Potential Interest:

Support Causality on Patreon
Episode Gold Producer: 'r'.
Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Kevin Koch, Oliver Steele, Lesley Law Chan, Hafthor and Shane O'Neill.

36: Big Dig Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

A series of concrete ceiling tiles in a tunnel portal collapsed on a moving car killing the passenger in downtown Boston in 2006. The selection of the epoxy used in the ceiling tile anchors was unusual and a failure to heed the warning signs were at odds on a huge project under pressure to deliver when already twice over time and five times over budget.
With John Chidgey.

Investigation Report:

NTSB Report (PDF)

Technical Links:

Epoxy
Tunnel

Links of Potential Interest:

Support Causality on Patreon
Episode Gold Producer: 'r'.
Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Kevin Koch, Oliver Steele, Hafthor and Shane O'Neill.
With thanks to Sean for the topic suggestion.

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