Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14253207 - EXPLOSION OF FLAMMBLE VAPORS IN MANHOLE

Accident Summary Nr: 14253207 -- Report ID: 0453710 -- Event Date: 01/14/1986
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
15307028	01/15/1986	9199	0	City Of Durham Water & Sewer Maintenance Dept

Abstract: TWO EMPLOYEES WERE PREPARING TO RESTORE SERVICE TO A 24 INCH WATER MAIN. THE WORK REQUIRED ENTRY INTO A MANHOLE. WATER WAS PUMPED FROM THE MANHOLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. EMPLOYEE #1 ENTERED THE MANHOLE TO OPEN A VALVE WHICH WOULD BLEED EXCESS AIR FROM THE WATER MAIN. WHILE WAITING FOR THE AIR TO BLEED OFF, EMPLOYEE #1 USED HIS CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO LIGHT A CIGARETTE. AN EXPLOSION RESULTED. THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES DID NOT TEST THE MANHOLE (A CONFINED SPACE) ATMOSPHERE FOR FLAMMABLE VAPORS OR TOXIC CONCENTRATIONS OF AIRBORNE CONTAMINANTS.

Keywords: MAINTENANCE, CONFINED SPACE, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, AIR MONITORING, EXPLOSION, SMOKING, MANHOLE

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	15307028			Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Supervisors; handlers,equip-cleaners,laborers nec

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