Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14538276 - EMPLOYEE OVERCOME BY AMMONIA VAPORS

Accident Summary Nr: 14538276 -- Report ID: 0452110 -- Event Date: 08/01/1984
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
14791172	08/02/1984	2011	0	Armour Food Company

Abstract: THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE BOTTOM PLATE OF A STRAINER IN THE HOT AMMONIA DEFROST LINE FAILED. CONSEQUENTLY, A RELEASE OF PRESSURIZED AMMONIA OCCURRED. THE LINE WAS LOCATED IN ROOM 260. EMPLOYEE #1, WHO WAS UNAWARE OF THE RELEASE AND THE ONGOING EVACUATION, PROCEEDED TO TAKE AN ELEVATOR FROM THE BASEMENT UP TO THE LEAK AREA. IN THE LEAK AREA, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS EXPOSED TO THE AMMONIA VAPOR AND EXPERIENCED SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISCOMFORT. HE WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THE AREA UNDER HIS OWN POWER BUT COLLAPSED ONCE HE REACHED THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING. ANOTHER RECENT AMMONIA LEAK AT A NEIGHBORING PLANT RESULTED IN A FATALITY. THESE INSTANCES INDICATE THAT PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT BEING TAKEN TO PROTECT THOSE WHO WORK WITH AMMONIA.

Keywords: RESPIRATORY, VAPOR, AMMONIA, GAS LEAK, EVACUATION

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	14791172			Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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