Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14506000 - ASPHYXIATED INSIDE A TEST CHAMBER

Accident Summary Nr: 14506000 -- Report ID: 0830500 -- Event Date: 03/31/1984
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1571801	04/02/1984	3669	0	Ball Aerospace Systems Division

Abstract: ON MARCH 31, 1984, BETWEEN 9:45 AM AND 10:15 AM, EMPLOYEE #1 ENTERED A THERMOTRON REFRIGERATION UNIT (7'X7'X7'10") WHICH WAS BEING USED AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL TEST CHAMBER. THE CHAMBER HAD BEEN FILLED WITH NITROGEN FOR COOLING PURPOSES. EMPLOYER #1 ENTERED THE CHAMBER TO INSTALL A VIDEO MONITOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE TESTED. THE CHAMBER WAS NEITHER PURGED WITH OXYGEN PRIOR TO ENTRANCE NOR TESTED FOR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS FOUND IN THE CHAMBER BY A CO-WORKER AT APPROXIMATELY 10:20 AM. THE CO-WORKER PULLED EMPLOYEE #1 FORM THE CHAMBER AND BEGAN ADMINISTERING FIRST AID. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS TRANSPORTED TO BOULDER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 11:17 AM.

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, ASPHYXIATED, CONFINED SPACE, NITROGEN, PURGING

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1571801			Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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