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Accident: 14484935 - 2 Employees Killed When Tank Exploded; Cutting Torch Used

Accident: 14484935 -- Report ID: 0213600 -- Event Date: 12/18/1986
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
1761508912/18/19867389C & W Meter Service Inc.

AT APPROXIMATELY 7 AM ON DECEMBER 12, 1986, TWO EMPLOYEES WERE ASSIGNED THE JOB OF CUTTING UP TWO STORAGE TANKS BY THEIR SUPERVISOR. THE TANKS HAD PREVIOUSLY HELD A MIXTURE OF GASOLINE AND KEROSENE. THE TANKS HAD BEEN EMPTIED AND RINSED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR THE DAY BEFORE. THE FIRST TANK WAS CUT UP WITHOUT INCIDENT. AROUND 11 OR 11:15 AM, ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES STARTED TO CUT THE SECOND TANK. HIS PARTNER WAS NEARBY. AS SOON AS THE TORCH PENETRATED THE TANK WALL AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED WHICH BLEW ONE END OF THE TANK OFF. BOTH EMPLOYEES WERE KILLED. ONE EMPLOYEE WAS BLOWN APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AWAY; THE OTHER AT LEAST 300 FEET. THE NORMAL PROCEDURE OF VENTING THE TANK WITH COMPRESSED AIR WAS NOT USED.

Keywords: flammable vapors, work rules, torch, explosion, tank, cutting and burning

Employee Details
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 17615089 Fatality Other Occupation not reported
2 17615089 Fatality Other Occupation not reported

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