OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #1002153
OELWEIN SOIL SERVICE, INC.
OELWEIN, IA·
Event description
Employees exposed to anhydrous ammonia from spill
Investigation abstract
At approximately 9:03 a.m. on February 13, 1989, an anhydrous ammonia (NH3) leak in the eyes by NH3-containing water from the ground; Employees #2 through #6 (f irefighters), who sustained NH3 burns under their bunker gear in the belt areas of the groin and legs; Employees #7 and #8, who sustained burns; Employee #9, wh o was directing traffic and was briefly exposed when the wind changed; and Emplo yee #10, who had brought a 3 in. pump to clean up water on the ground as directe d by DNR and received arm blisters, went to Mercy Hospital in Oelwein, from whic h they were released by February 14, 1989. due to a faulty snap valve occurred at Oelwein Soil Service, Oelwein, IA. Appro ximately 25,000 gallons of NH3 were in the stationary tank. Employee #1 called t he Oelwein Fire Department, which dispatched Employees #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6 (v olunteer fire fighters) to the scene. The Oelwein Fire Department called Hazelto n Fire Department, which sent Employees #7 and #8 (fire fighters). The Oelwein F ire Department acted as coordinator. Oelwein Fire Department volunteers, wearing SCBA and bunker gear, made attempts to close the valve, which was done at appro ximately 12:47 p.m. Employee #1, who was trying to prime a pump and was splashed
Victims (10)
-
#1 Hospitalized Age 37 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- EYE(S) (8)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Supervisors, general office (303)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task not regularly assigned (2)
-
#10 Hospitalized Age 31 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- LOWER ARM (17)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Construction trades, n.e.c. (599)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task not regularly assigned (2)
-
#2 Hospitalized Age 35 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#3 Hospitalized Age 35 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#4 Hospitalized Age 35 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#5 Hospitalized Age 35 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#6 Hospitalized Age 35 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#7 Hospitalized Age 30 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#8 Hospitalized Age 32 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- UPPER LEG (23)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Firefighting occupations (417)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
-
#9 Hospitalized Age 26 M
- Nature of injury
- Burn(Chemical) (4)
- Part of body
- FACE (9)
- Accident type
- OTHER (14)
- Source of injury
- CHEM LIQUIDS/VAPORS (9)
- Occupation
- Sheriffs, bailiffs, other law enforcement officers (423)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- CHEMICAL ACTION/REACTION EXPOS (9)
- Hazardous substance
- 0170
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
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