OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14331888

FIRE,STORAGE TANK,WELDING,FIXED LADDER,PETROLEUM NAPHTHA,EXPLOSION,LACERATION,FALL,TANK,WATER

1989-05-19T00:00:00

Event: FIRE,STORAGE TANK,WELDING,FIXED LADDER,PETROLEUM NAPHTHA,EXPLOSION,LACERATION,FALL,TANK,WATER
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14331888
Report ID: 419700

Event description

ONE EMPLOYEE KILLED, TWO INJURED IN EXPLOSION

Investigation abstract

On May 19, 1989, Employees #1, #2, #3, and another worker were installing a fix ft, sustaining fatal injuries. Employee #2 was blown from the tank horizontally, approximately 15 ft and downward, approximately 30 ft, sustaining critical inju ries. Employee #3 was blown upward approximately 10 ft and fell back onto the to p of the tank sustaining numerous cuts and bruises. He was rescued with the use of a portable extension ladder. ed ladder to the south side of a 500,000 gallon storage tank used for storing in dustrial waste water contaminated with petroleum products. Employees #2 and #3 w ere located on the top of the tank to assist in raising the ladder. Employee #1 and another worker remained on the ground to weld the lower supports for the lad der. After welding the lower supports in place, Employee #1 went to the top of t he tank to weld the top support brackets. Employee #1 had completed the left bra cket and had just started the right bracket when a fire and an explosion occurre d. Employee #1 was blown from the top side of the tank and fell approximately 30

Victims (3)

#1 Fatality Age 33 M

Nature of injury
21

Part of body
19

Event type
14

Source
43

Occupation code
999

Human factor
1

Environmental factor
18

Task assigned
2
#2 Hospitalized Age 35 M

Nature of injury
21

Part of body
19

Event type
14

Source
43

Occupation code
999

Human factor
1

Environmental factor
18

Task assigned
2
#3 Non-hospitalized injury Age 34 M

Nature of injury
7

Part of body
17

Event type
14

Source
43

Occupation code
999

Human factor
1

Environmental factor
18

Task assigned
2

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