Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14314793 - Employees hospitalized after exposure to acid vapor

Accident Summary Nr: 14314793 -- Report ID: 0317000 -- Event Date: 04/16/1992
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
116049677	04/17/1992	1711	0	J. J. White, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
116049669	04/17/1992	1799	0	Safeway Scaffolding Of Philadelphia
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
116049677	04/17/1992	1711	0	J. J. White, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
116049685	04/17/1992	2911	0	Chevron Usa, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
116049677	04/17/1992	1711	0	J. J. White, Inc.

Abstract: Employees #1 through #6 were assigned to disassemble and remove a 20 foot tall vessel (acid re-run column) with a truck crane; the top and bottom sections of the vessel were connected by a flange in the middle. The employees were positioned on a catwalk at the top of the vessel while the top section was lifted by the crane. The vessel had contained hydrofluoric acid but was believed to have been decontaminated through a multi-step flushing procedure before the demolition work was initiated. As the crane lifted the top section of the vessel, however, a hydrofluoric acid vapor cloud (10 to 15 feet in diameter) formed and trapped the employees at the top of the vessel. Employees #1 through #6 were hospitalized for treatment of irritation-related symptoms. A company accident investigation determined that the cause of the accident was inadequate decontamination due to clogged drain lines inside the vessel, which rendered the flushing procedure ineffective.

Keywords: TOXIC FUMES, HYDROFLUORIC ACID, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, DEMOLITION, WORK RULES, CLOGGED, OVEREXPOSURE, CONSTRUCTION

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	116049677	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
2	116049669			Occupation Not Listed
3	116049677	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
4	116049677	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
5	116049685	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
6	116049677	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
7	116049677	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported

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