Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14528020 - CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ASPHYXIATED BY NITROGEN IN RESPIRATORS

Accident Summary Nr: 14528020 -- Report ID: 0419400 -- Event Date: 07/30/1987
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101250819	07/31/1987	2819	0	Kemanord, Inc.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101250835	07/31/1987	1721	0	Alabama Industrial Coatings, Inc.

Abstract: ON JULY 30, 1987, EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 WERE SANDBLASTING IN A PIT UNDER A WEIGHING SCALE AT A CHEMICAL PLANT. THE EMPLOYEES WERE EMPLOYED BY A PAINTING CONTRACTOR. THE BLASTING EQUIPMENT WAS HOOKED TO A DIESEL-POWERED MOBILE AIR COMPRESSOR AND THEIR ABRASIVE BLASTING RESPIRATORS TO A COMPRESSED AIR LINE AT THE CHEMICAL PLANT. THE PLANT HAD LOST POWER AND ITS AIR COMPRESSORS SHUT OFF THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE COMPRESSED AIR LINES IN THE BUILDING HAD BEEN FILLED WITH PRESSURIZED NITROGEN. THEREFORE THE EMPLOYEES' ABRASIVE BLASTING RESPIRATORS WERE SUPPLIED WITH NITROGEN INSTEAD OF AIR. THE EMPLOYEES DIED OF OXYGEN DEPRIVATION. THERE WAS ENOUGH OXYGEN IN THE PIT'S ATMOSPHERE TO SUPPORT LIFE, AS DEMONSTRATED WHEN SEVERAL EMPLOYEES SAFELY ENTERED THE PIT MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITH NO RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, ASPHYXIATED, SANDBLASTING, RESPIRATOR, CONSTRUCTION, NITROGEN

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	101250819			Occupation Not Listed
2	101250835	Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
3	101250835	Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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