105,313Records 71,083Employers 85,290Hospitalizations 27,770Amputations 2015-01-01 2025-10-31
Safety Incidents OSHA Severe Injury Reports · 2015–2025

OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14454540

RESPIRATORY,VENTILATION,INHALATION,EXHAUST FUMES,PROPANE,POISONING,CARBON MONOXIDE

Event
RESPIRATORY,VENTILATION,INHALATION,EXHAUST FUMES,PROPANE,POISONING,CARBON MONOXIDE
Linked inspection
No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number
14454540
Report ID
751910

Event description

CO EXPOSURE FROM MALFUNCTIONING PROPANE MOTOR

Investigation abstract

DURING THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 3, 1985, A CLEANING SERVICE BUFFERED THE FLOOR OF E CONSIDERED CAUSES OF THE SYMPTOMS. THE WORK AREA. THE PROPANE MOTOR OF THE BUFFER WAS NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND WAS EXHAUSTING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE AIR. THE BUILDING WAS NEW AND VERY TIGHTLY SEALED. THE BUILDING USED A RECIRCULATING VENTILATION SYSTEM. ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 4, 1985, THE REGULAR EMPLOYEES RETURNED TO DUTY. BY 8 AM MANY EMPLOYEES WERE EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. BY 12:30 THE SYMPTOMS WER E SO SEVERE THAT 42 EMPLOYEES WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. INTERVIEWS WITH THE EMP LOYEES REVEALED THAT MANY HAD CONTRACTED FLU OR COLDS PRIOR TO THE CARBON MONOXI DE EXPOSURE. BOTH THE CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE AND THE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AR

Victims (42)

  1. #1 Hospitalized Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  2. #10 Hospitalized Age 44 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  3. #11 Hospitalized Age 36 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  4. #12 Hospitalized Age 38 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  5. #13 Hospitalized Age 39 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  6. #14 Hospitalized Age 24 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  7. #15 Hospitalized Age 21 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  8. #16 Hospitalized Age 36 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  9. #17 Hospitalized Age 22 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  10. #18 Hospitalized Age 35 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  11. #19 Hospitalized Age 27 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  12. #2 Hospitalized Age 22 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  13. #20 Hospitalized Age 28 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  14. #21 Hospitalized Age 53 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  15. #22 Hospitalized Age 22 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  16. #23 Hospitalized Age 37 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  17. #24 Hospitalized Age 22 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  18. #25 Hospitalized Age 21 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  19. #26 Hospitalized Age 23 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  20. #27 Hospitalized Age 39 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  21. #28 Hospitalized Age 21 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  22. #29 Hospitalized Age 33 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  23. #3 Hospitalized Age 28 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  24. #30 Hospitalized Age 35 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  25. #31 Hospitalized Age 34 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  26. #32 Hospitalized Age 27 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  27. #33 Hospitalized Age 43 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  28. #34 Hospitalized Age 59 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  29. #35 Hospitalized Age 23 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  30. #36 Hospitalized Age 18 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  31. #37 Hospitalized Age 38 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  32. #38 Hospitalized Age 39 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  33. #39 Hospitalized Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  34. #4 Hospitalized Age 31 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  35. #40 Hospitalized Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  36. #41 Hospitalized Age 53 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  37. #42 Hospitalized Age 20 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  38. #5 Hospitalized Age 50 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  39. #6 Hospitalized Age 29 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  40. #7 Hospitalized Age 47 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  41. #8 Hospitalized Age 21 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

  42. #9 Hospitalized Age 32 F

    Nature of injury
    17
    Part of body
    25
    Event type
    8
    Source
    19
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    14
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    0560
    Task assigned
    1

Codes shown verbatim from OSHA's accident-investigation database. A human-readable decoder is coming in a future release once the accident_lookup2 dictionary is loaded.

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