OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14399984

BURN,FLAMMABLE VAPORS,DRUM,CONSTRUCTION,EXPLOSION,CUTTING AND BURNING

1985-06-06T00:00:00

Event: BURN,FLAMMABLE VAPORS,DRUM,CONSTRUCTION,EXPLOSION,CUTTING AND BURNING
Linked inspection: No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number: 14399984
Report ID: 626300

Event description

55 GALLON DRUM EXPLODED WHILE BEING CUT WITH TORCH

Investigation abstract

EMPLOYEE #1, A 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE AND SUPERVISOR, WAS CUTTING OFF THE TOP OF A 55 GALLON DRUM AFTER NORMAL WORKING HOURS. THE DRUM WAS PARTIALLY FILLED WITH WATER . WHEN THE FLAME OF THE OXYGEN/ACETYLENE CUTTING TORCH PENETRATED THROUGH THE WA LL OF THE DRUM, THE DRUM EXPLODED. THE HEAT GENERATED WAS SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE EMPLOYEE'S WELDING GOGGLES TO HIS FACE. HIS CLOTHES WERE BURNED COMPLETELY OFF. HE WAS BURNED OVER 86% OF HIS BODY AND DIED 2 DAYS LATER IN A HOSPITAL IN DALLA S, TEXAS.

Victim

#1 Fatality Age 61 M

Nature of injury
5

Part of body
4

Event type
14

Source
16

Occupation code
999

Human factor
1

Environmental factor
11

Task assigned
1

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