OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14332233

BURN,STATIC ELECTRICITY,ELECTRICAL,FLAMMABLE LIQUID,E GI VII,FIRE,TOLUENE,EXPLOSION,FACE,HAND

1985-06-20T00:00:00

Event: BURN,STATIC ELECTRICITY,ELECTRICAL,FLAMMABLE LIQUID,E GI VII,FIRE,TOLUENE,EXPLOSION,FACE,HAND
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14332233
Report ID: 418100

Event description

EXPLOSION - STATIC DISCHARGE IGNITED SOLVENT

Investigation abstract

AN EMPLOYEE WAS FILLING A 55-GALLON DRUM WITH TOLUENE SOLVENT FOR USE IN A COATI NG MIX. A 1-INCH-DIAMETER HOSE WAS DISPENSING THE SOLVENT. WHEN THE DRUM WAS ABO UT HALF FULL, THE SOLVENT IGNITED BECAUSE OF A STATIC DISCHARGE. THE EMPLOYEE RE CEIVED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO HIS FACE AND HANDS. (THE FIRE DID NO FURTHER DAMAGE , AS IT WAS PUT OUT WITH PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.) THE HOSE BEING USED TO DI SPENSE THE SOLVENT WAS TESTED WITH A VOLT-OHM METER AND WAS FOUND NOT TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY.

Victim

#1 Non-hospitalized injury Age 30 M

Nature of injury
5

Part of body
12

Event type
1

Source
16

Occupation code
999

Human factor
6

Environmental factor
10

Hazardous substance
2460

Task assigned
1

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