Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14352918 - EMPLOYEES BURNED IN FIRE AND EXPLOSION ON SHIP FUEL TANK

Accident Summary Nr: 14352918 -- Report ID: 0418600 -- Event Date: 07/21/1986
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100345974	07/21/1986	3731	0	Alliance Fluid Power, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100345982	07/21/1986	3731	0	Ocean Marine, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101876019	07/21/1986	1721	0	Patton Painting Company

Abstract: TWO CONTRACTORS WERE WORKING INSIDE THE ENGINE ROOM OF A VESSEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THE PORT AND STARBOARD FUEL TANKS HAD BEEN FILLED WITH 2000 GALLONS OF #2 DIESEL FUEL. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS USING AN OXYGEN-ACETYLENE WELDING TORCH TO HEAT A PLASTIC TUBE SO IT COULD BE STRETCHED TAUT BETWEEN FITTINGS ON THE PORT FUEL TANK. A STRUCTURAL ERROR HAD BEEN MADE ON THE PORT FUEL TANK DURING FABRICATION; THERE WAS A 3/4-INCH HOLE IN THE WALL OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH HAD NOT BEEN PLUGGED. THE EMPLOYEE APARENTLY RESTED HIS WELDING TORCH IN THE HOLE AND IT IGNITED THE DIESEL FUEL VAPORS INSIDE THE TANK, RESULTING IN A FIRE AND EXPLOSION. EMPLOYEE #1 DIED OF SEVERE BURNS. EMPLOYEES #2 AND #3 WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH THIRD DEGREE BURNS. EMPLOYEE #4 WAS TREATED FOR LACERATIONS AND RELEASED.

Keywords: LEAK, DIESEL FUEL TANK, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, EXPLOSION, BURN, ACETYLENE TORCH, FIRE, SHIP

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	100345974	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
2	100345982	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
3	100345982	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
4	101876019	Non Hospitalized injury	Cut/Laceration	Occupation not reported

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