Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14426969 - PROPANE GAS RELEASED INTO BUILDING; EXPLOSION OCCURRED

Accident Summary Nr: 14426969 -- Report ID: 0830500 -- Event Date: 12/16/1985
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1500602	12/17/1985	4924	0	Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Company,Inc.

Abstract: EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #27 WERE WORKING AT THEIR REGULARLY ASSIGNED TASKS IN A TWO STORY OPERATIONS OFFICE. EMPLOYEE #20 DROVE A 1982, MODEL 437, INTERNATIONAL TRUCK, PULLING A 1982 AZTEC FLATBED, INTO THE GARAGE AREA OF THE BUILDING. THE FLATBED HAD A 1,000 GALLON PROPANE TANK CHAINED ONTO IT. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS ATTACHING DECALS TO THE SIDE OF THE TANK TO MEET DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS. EMPLOYEE #20 WAS REMOVING FOUR BOLTS AT THE END OF THE TANK TO CHECK ON A A POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE. EMPLOYEE #20 DIDN'T REALIZE THE GAUGE WAS A FLOAT GAUGE, AND THAT REMOVING IT WOULD RELEASE THE PROPANE. THE GAUGE WAS REMOVED, RELEASING PROPANE FROM THE TANK INTO THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. A SPACE HEATER IGNITED THE PROPANE, CAUSING AN EXPLOSION. THE ENTIRE BUILDING WAS DESTROYED. THE SECOND STORY OF THE BUILDING COLLAPSED ONTO THE GROUND FLOOR. FIRE CONSUMED A GREAT DEAL OF THE BUILDING'S CONTENTS. EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #12 DIED IN THE EXPLOSION OR FIRE, WHILE EMPLOYEES #13 THROUGH 27 WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF INJURIES.

Keywords: MAINTENANCE, COLLAPSE, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, FIRE, EXPLOSION, GAS LEAK, PROPANE

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
2	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Dislocation	Occupation not reported
3	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
4	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported
5	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
6	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported
7	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
8	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported
9	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Concussion	Occupation not reported
10	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Dislocation	Occupation not reported
11	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported
12	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported
13	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported
14	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Cut/Laceration	Occupation not reported
15	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported
16	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
17	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
18	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
19	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
20	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
21	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
22	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
23	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
24	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
25	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
26	1500602	Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
27	1500602	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported

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