OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14412035
LYONDELL PETROCHEMICAL
HOUSTON, TX·
Event description
Employee dies of asphyxia from hydrogen sulfide
Investigation abstract
Between 7:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. on November 20, 1987, Employee #1, a still man, #1 died. went to check a vessel showing a high alarm for liquid in the line. From the die thyl amine acid gas knockout pot, hydrogen sulfide gas was rushing out of an ope n valve at between 5 and 10 psi. The toxic gas enveloped Employee #1's face, pro bably paralyzing his respiratory system and resulting in asphyxia. When Employee #2 discovered him, he tried unsuccessfully to pull Employee #1 out of the area; Employee #2, who suffered from hydrogen sulfide inhalation, escaped into the fr esh air upwind of the spill and called for help. Another coworker arrived, pulle d Employee #1 to a safe area, and tried CPR, but could not revive him. Employee
Victims (2)
-
#1 Fatality Age 47 M
- Nature of injury
- 2
- Part of body
- 28
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 19
- Occupation code
- 999
- Human factor
- 19
- Environmental factor
- 7
- Hazardous substance
- 1480
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#2 Non-hospitalized injury Age 36 M
- Nature of injury
- 2
- Part of body
- 28
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 19
- Occupation code
- 999
- Human factor
- 19
- Environmental factor
- 7
- Hazardous substance
- 1480
- Task assigned
- 2
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