OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14241905
LEAK,HYDROCHLORIC ACID,CAUSTIC,PPE,WORK RULES,EXPLOSION,CHEMICAL REACTION,CHEMICAL BURN,CHEMICAL
Event description
Two employees burned in chemical explosion
Investigation abstract
On May 23, 1989, Employee #1, the manager, and Employee #2, a worker, were using an up the spill. an alkaline powdered soap cleaner to neutralize and dilute a hydrochloric acid solution that had leaked from a 1,500 gal storage tank located behind a plating shop. The spill had been contained by a diked area under the storage tank. When the employees added caustic soda beads to the acid solution, a violent explosion occurred. Both employees were burned by the acid. Employee #1 sustained second- and third-degree burns above his waist, and Employee #2 sustained burns to his arm. Neither employee was wearing personal protective equipment. The material sa fety data sheets on site had not been consulted to determine how to properly cle
Victims (2)
-
#1 Hospitalized Age 19 M
- Nature of injury
- 4
- Part of body
- 19
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 999
- Human factor
- 20
- Environmental factor
- 9
- Hazardous substance
- 1430
- Task assigned
- 2
-
#2 Hospitalized Age 58 M
- Nature of injury
- 4
- Part of body
- 2
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 999
- Human factor
- 20
- Environmental factor
- 9
- Hazardous substance
- 1430
- Task assigned
- 2
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