Accident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 14446330 - 5 EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO THIONYL CHLORIDE VAPORS
Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
15300544 | 01/26/1988 | 9224 | 0 | Chapel Hill Fire Department |
Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
15300536 | 01/26/1988 | 8221 | 0 | University Of North Carolina |
Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
15300544 | 01/26/1988 | 9224 | 0 | Chapel Hill Fire Department |
Abstract: EMPLOYEE #1 WAS DISPOSING OF PACKING MATERIAL BEHIND A SHELF UPON WHICH HE HAD PLACED A 500 ML GLASS BOTTLE OF THIONYL CHLORIDE. THE BOTTLE WAS KNOCKED LOOSE, FELL TO THE FLOOR AND BROKE OPEN. EMPLOYEE #1 LEFT THE AREA, BUT ON HIS SUPERVISOR'S ADVICE RETURNED TO APPLY SODIUM BICARBONITE TO THE SPILL. NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT WAS WORN ON HIS RETURN TO THE AREA. EMPLOYEE #1 THEN EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING. A CALL WAS THEN PLACED TO THE CAMPUS POLICE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDING. EMPLOYEES #2,3,4,5 ENTERED THE BUILDING TO EVACUATE ALL PERSONNEL. THEY WERE DRESSED IN FULL TURNOUT GEAR AS REQUIRED BY THE FISHER MSDS. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE SPILL CLEAN-UP AND SECURING THE AREA, EMPLOYEES #2,3,4,5 EXPERIENCED MINOR ITCHING AND REDNESS AT THE EXPOSED AREAS OF THEIR NECKS. THIS APPARENTLY WAS AS A RESULT OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID VAPORS COMBINING WITH THE WATER IN THEIR SWEAT TO FORM HYDROCHLORIC ACID. THEY WERE TAKEN, ALONG WITH EMPLOYEE #1, TO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, TREATED FOR MINOR CHEMICAL BURNS (LONG SHOWER), AND RELEASED.
Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15300544 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Firefighting occupations | ||
2 | 15300536 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Stock and inventory clerks | ||
3 | 15300544 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Firefighting occupations | ||
4 | 15300544 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Firefighting occupations | ||
5 | 15300544 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Firefighting occupations |