Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14350136 - EXPLOSION - UNAPPROVED EQUIPMENT

Accident Summary Nr: 14350136 -- Report ID: 0418300 -- Event Date: 07/23/1987
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101212991	07/23/1987	2869	0	Merichem Company, Inc.

Abstract: TWO MAINTENANCE WORKERS WERE USING AN ELECTRIC GRINDER WITH A 9-INCH ABRASIVE WHEEL TO REMOVE RUSTY BOLTS FROM A 6-INCH VENT PIPE FLANGE. THE VENT WAS ON THE TOP OF A 35-FOOT-HIGH SULFURIC ACID TANK AND WAS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE AREA AROUND THE FLANGE. THE EMPLOYEES WERE TO REPLACE THE OLD CARBON STEEL VENT PIPE WITH A POLYVINYL CHLORIDE PIPE. THE TWO EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN GRINDING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN A PUFF OF MIST AROSE FROM THE VENT PIPE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED, AND THE EMPLOYEES WERE THROWN OFF THE TANK. THEY DIED OF THE INJURIES THEY RECEIVED IN FALLING.

Keywords: GRINDER, E GI V, ELECTRICAL, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, EXPLOSION, FALL, SULFURIC ACID, ELEC EQUIPMENT--MISC

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	101212991			Fatality	Concussion	Industrial machinery repairers
2	101212991			Fatality	Concussion	Industrial machinery repairers

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