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Safety Incidents OSHA Severe Injury Reports · 2015–2025

OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14480859

SODIUM HYDROXIDE,CAUSTIC,INADEQUATE MAINT,UNSECURED,WORK RULES,RUPTURE,EXPLOSION,HIGH PRESSURE,GAS LEAK,HIGH TEMPERATURE

Event
SODIUM HYDROXIDE,CAUSTIC,INADEQUATE MAINT,UNSECURED,WORK RULES,RUPTURE,EXPLOSION,HIGH PRESSURE,GAS LEAK,HIGH TEMPERATURE
Linked inspection
No inspection record linked to this accident's victims.
Summary number
14480859
Report ID
214200

Event description

Twelve employees suffer minor injuries in explosion

Investigation abstract

At approximately 5:50 p.m. on March 25, 1988, the leacher autoclave (#2) in buil f caustic fumes that drifted over the area, causing eye, lung, and throat irrita tion to approximately 25 people, including the police who responded to the emerg ency. Employees #1 through #12 required medical attention. The gas line was prom ptly shut off by plant maintenance personnel who responded to the explosion. Thi s action prevented further serious fire and explosion damage and possible loss o f life. ding #1, which had been in service for about three weeks, reached a temperature of about 490 degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of 400 psi. At this point the sin gle locking (locating) pin sheared (the second pin was missing) allowing the cov er to rotate against the locking ring, which was not fully engaged. The cover wa s released with explosive force, tearing a large hole in the roof and rupturing a 2 in. high-pressure gas line. As the head fell, a second hole was made in the roof about 25 yards northwest of the original location. Approximately 120 gallon s of 28 percent sodium hydroxide solution was instantly vaporized into a cloud o

Victims (12)

  1. #1 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 M

    Nature of injury
    7
    Part of body
    12
    Event type
    1
    Source
    8
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    15
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  2. #10 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    8
    Event type
    10
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  3. #11 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    20
    Part of body
    21
    Event type
    6
    Source
    8
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    6
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  4. #12 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    8
    Event type
    10
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  5. #2 Non-hospitalized injury Age 67 M

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    13
    Event type
    14
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  6. #3 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 M

    Nature of injury
    7
    Part of body
    16
    Event type
    1
    Source
    8
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    15
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  7. #4 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    31
    Event type
    8
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  8. #5 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  9. #6 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    8
    Event type
    10
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  10. #7 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    28
    Event type
    8
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  11. #8 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 M

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    8
    Event type
    10
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

  12. #9 Non-hospitalized injury Age 25 F

    Nature of injury
    4
    Part of body
    8
    Event type
    10
    Source
    9
    Occupation code
    999
    Human factor
    12
    Environmental factor
    7
    Hazardous substance
    2260
    Task assigned
    1

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