Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14544100 - Employee killed when pressure vessel fails

Accident Summary Nr: 14544100 -- Report ID: 0317740 -- Event Date: 10/27/1988
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
867697	11/02/1988	3312	0	Bethlehem Steel Corp., Beth. Forge Division

Abstract: Employee #1 was attempting to backwash a Zeolite water softener vessel. The regular backwash pump was out of service and a much larger substitute pump was being used. The vessel's backwash outlet valve was not marked and Employee #1 failed to open it properly. The oversized substitute pump caused the vessel to become overpressurized and it failed, shooting hot water onto Employee #1. He suffered scalding burns and was killed. The vessel had been altered with improper welds and was not fitted with pressure relief devices.

Keywords: BURN, INADEQUATE MAINT, PRESSURE VESSEL, WORK RULES, CLEANING, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, HIGH PRESSURE, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, PRESSURE RELEASE, HOT WATER

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	867697			Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported

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