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Accident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 14303762 - CHEMICAL REACTOR EXPLODED; KILLING AND INJURING EMPLOYEES
| Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3176997 | 06/12/1986 | 2834 | 0 | Merck Sharp & Dohme Quimica De P.R., Inc. |
Abstract: AT APPROXIMATELY 6:10 AM ON JUNE 12, 1986, (DURING A SHIFT CHANGE) AN APPARENT LOSS OF LIQUID IN THE 4301 REACTOR, USED TO MANUFACTURE METHYLDOPA, CASED AN OVERHEAT CONDITION IN THE REACTOR. THE REACTOR IS LOCATED IN THE MODULAR BUILDING, FACTORY #1 OF THE MERCK, SHARP AND DOHME COMPANY, QUIMICA, PUERTO RICO. THE REACTOR EXPLODED, CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE DEATHS OF EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #3. EMPLOYEES #4 THROUGH #6 SUFFERED BURNS FROM THE FIRE WHICH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED THE EXPLOSION. EMPLOYEES #7 AND #8 RECEIVED FRACTURES.
Keywords:
BURN, FRACTURE, FIRE, EXPLOSION, CHEMICAL REACTION, CHEMICAL, HIGH TEMPERATURE
| Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3176997 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 3176997 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 3 | 3176997 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 4 | 3176997 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 5 | 3176997 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Chemical technicians | ||
| 6 | 3176997 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Chemical technicians | ||
| 7 | 3176997 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 8 | 3176997 | Hospitalized injury | Fracture | Occupation not reported |