OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #674150
BURN,FLAMMABLE VAPORS,SPRAY PAINTING,EXPLOSION,LIGHTING,METAL LADDER,MANHOLE,TANK,RESPIRATOR,WRIST
Event description
ONE EMPLOYEE DIED, OTHER INJURED IN EXPLOSION
Investigation abstract
On May 16, 1989, Employee #1 was inside a tank spray painting with the epoxy pai ad burns of approximately 40 percent on his body. Employee #2 had a broken wrist and burns on 12 percent of his body. Employee #1 and Employee #2 were treated a t the Burn Center. Employee #1 died five days after the explosion. There was no confined space entry program and unapproved light was used in flammable atmosphe re. nt. Employee #2 was seated at the tank manhole to act as "spotter" for Employee #1. An unapproved 500 watt floodlight was propped on an aluminum ladder at the m anhole to provide interior lighting. Employee #1 was wearing a supplied air resp irator and Employee #2 a half mask respirator. The mixing tank measured 67.125 i n. height by 74.5 in. width with a 22-in. manhole. The tank contained an agitato r assembly. Employee #1 was retouching some area of the interior when paint vapo rs made contact with the floodlight. There was an explosion and Employee #2 was blown off of the tank onto the ground. Employee #1 climbed out of the tank and h
Victims (2)
-
#1 Fatality Age 41 M
- Nature of injury
- 5
- Part of body
- 19
- Event type
- 2
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 789
- Human factor
- 6
- Environmental factor
- 10
- Hazardous substance
- 2584
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#2 Hospitalized Age 32 M
- Nature of injury
- 5
- Part of body
- 19
- Event type
- 4
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 789
- Human factor
- 6
- Environmental factor
- 10
- Hazardous substance
- 2584
- Task assigned
- 1
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