Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14445332 - METHYLENE CHLORIDE INHALATION FROM VAPOR DEGREASER

Accident Summary Nr: 14445332 -- Report ID: 0552700 -- Event Date: 07/05/1984
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
14893523	07/06/1984	3523	0	H D Hudson Mfg Co

Abstract: AT APPROXIMATELY 1425 ON 7/5/84, EMPLOYEES #1, 2 AND 3 (MAINTENANCE MECHANICS) WERE DOING THE SEMIANNUAL DEGREASER TANK CLEANING. THE DEGREASER TANK IS 114" DEEP, 40" WIDE & 94" LONG. THE MEN HAD JUST FINISHED THE JOB. EMPLOYEE #2 CLIMBED THE LADDER TO THE TOP AND REMOVED HIS AIRLINE RESPIRATOR (NO BODY HARNESS OR SAFETY ROPE WAS USED). HE REMEMBERED THAT HE HAD LEFT A BOARD IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK SO HE WENT BACK TO GET IT. HE DID NOT WEAR THE RESPIRATOR. BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE VENTILATION, HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND COLLAPSED. EMPLOYEE #1 PUT ON THE RESPIRATOR AND WENT IN TO HELP. HE REMOVED THE MASK TO GIVE AIR TO EMPLYEE #2 AND THEN LOST CONSCIOUSNESS HIMSELF. EMPLOYEES #3 THROUGH #8, IN SUCCESSION, ENTERED THE TANK. THEY ALL BECAME DIZZY. PARAMEDICS SOON ARRIVED WITH S.C.B.A.'S TO RESCUE EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2. EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 SURVIVED. THE REST WERE CHECKED AT THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED.

Keywords: DEGREASER TANK, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, AIR LINE RESPIRATOR, CONFINED SPACE, METHYLENE CHLORIDE, INHALATION, SCBA, DIZZINESS, TANK

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	14893523	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Not specified mechanics and repairers
2	14893523	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Administrative support occupations, n.e.c.
3	14893523	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Stock and inventory clerks
4	14893523	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Miscellaneous precision workers, n.e.c.
5	14893523	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Miscellaneous precision workers, n.e.c.
6	14893523	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Not specified mechanics and repairers
7	14893523	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Not specified mechanics and repairers
8	14893523	Non Hospitalized injury	Other	Supervisors, mechanics and repairers

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