Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 1001122 - AMMONIA LEAK RESULTED IN AMMONIA EXPOSURE FOR 31 EMPLOYEES

Accident Summary Nr: 1001122 -- Report ID: 0751910 -- Event Date: 03/18/1986
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101923332	03/19/1986	2011	0	John Morrell & Company
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101923167	03/20/1986	1799	0	Industrial Maintenance Ltd.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101923613	03/20/1986	1711	0	Professional Piping
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101923639	03/20/1986	7349	0	Mossberg Sanitation, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101923332	03/19/1986	2011	0	John Morrell & Company

Abstract: ON MARCH 18, 1986, AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM, EMPLOYEES #1-#10 WERE WORKING AT THEIR REGULAR JOBS ON THE CUT FLOOR (CONVERSION LINE). THE CUT FLOOR IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AWAY FROM A COOLER IN WHICH AN AMMONIA LEAK HAD OCCURRED THE DAY BEFORE (MARCH 17TH). EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #10 BEGAN EXPERIENCING CHEST PAINS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING AND WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. AT 11 AM THE REMAINING EMPLOYEES WERE EVACUATED. MANAGEMENT TOLD EVERYONE TO RETURN TO WORK AT 12 NOON. AT 12:28 AMBULANCES WERE AGAIN SUMMONED, AND EMPLOYEES #11 THROUGH #29 WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THESE EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #10. EMPLOYEE #20 STOPPED BREATHING ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL AND ONCE IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT WAS REVIVED BOTH TIMES. EMPLOYEES #30 AND #31 WERE NOT HOSPITALIZED, BUT VISITED THE COMPANY DOCTOR. THE AMMONIA EXPOSURE WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN PIPE IN THE COOLER. THE LEAKING AMMONIA WAS CARRIED BY THE PLANT'S VENTILATION SYSTEM TO THE WORK AREAS OF EMPLOYEES #1 - #31.

Keywords: LEAK, TOXIC FUMES, GAS LEAK, AMMONIA, INHALATION, NAUSEA

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
2	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
3	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
4	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
5	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
6	101923167			Occupation Not Listed
7	101923613			Occupation Not Listed
8	101923639			Occupation Not Listed
9	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
10	101923332	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
11	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
12	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
13	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
14	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
15	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
16	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
17	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
18	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
19	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
20	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
21	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
22	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
23	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
24	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
25	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
26	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
27	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
28	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
29	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
30	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
31	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
32	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
33	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
34	101923332	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported

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