Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14464341 - CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE DURING CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

Accident Summary Nr: 14464341 -- Report ID: 0551800 -- Event Date: 05/01/1984
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
14693667	05/02/1984	7699	0	All American Industrial Services
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
14693675	05/02/1984	3312	0	Inland Steel Company

Abstract: AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR CREW PERFORMED AN UNASSIGNED JOB OF CLEANING WATER OUT OF A 6'X 8' X 7' DEEP PIT IN A STEEL MILL. DRAIN LINES INTO THE PIT CONNECTED TO AN OPERATING BASIC OXYGEN FURNACE OFFGASSING SYSTEM. REMOVAL OF THE WATER ALLOWED BOF GASES (70-90% CARBON MONOXIDE) TO LEAK. EMPLOYEE #1 ENTERED THE PIT THROUGH A 26"X 30" OPENING AND WAS OVERCOME. EMPLOYEE #3 ENTERED THE PIT TO RESCUE #1. EMPLOYEES #2 AND #4 TRIED TO PULL OUT #1 FROM ABOVE. EMPLOYEE #3 COLLAPSED WHILE LIFTING #1. EMPLOYEE #2 FELL OR WAS DRAGGED INTO THE PIT AS A RESULT. EMPLOYEE #4 WENT FOR HELP. INLAND STEEL EMPLOYEES EFFECTED RESCUE. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS DEAD AT THE SCENE (81% COHB). EMPLOYEE #2 REMAINS IN A COMA. EMPLOYEE #3 SUFFERED A MEMORY LAPSE AND A NERVE PROBLEM IN ONE LEG. EMPLOYEE #4 IS FINE. THE EMPLOYER HAD AN INADEQUATE CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM.

Keywords: CONFINED SPACE, CLEANING, INHALATION, PIT, CARBON MONOXIDE

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	14693667	Fatality	Asphyxia	Vehicle washers and equipment cleaners
2	14693667	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Vehicle washers and equipment cleaners
3	14693667	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Vehicle washers and equipment cleaners
4	14693667	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Vehicle washers and equipment cleaners
5	14693675			Occupation Not Listed

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