Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14544647 - Employee inadvertently generates chlorine gas

Accident Summary Nr: 14544647 -- Report ID: 0317700 -- Event Date: 06/01/1994
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
17623802	06/30/1994	2621	0	International Paper

Abstract: Employee #1 was assigned to neutralize a 5 percent aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite with sodium thiosulfate. The procedure required first mixing the powdered sodium thiosulfate with water and then adding the resulting mixture to the sodium hypochlorite. Employee #1 skipped the water mixing step to save time and dumped the powdered sodium thiosulfate directly in the sodium hypochlorite. Chlorine gas was generated from the reaction, and Employee #1 was hospitalized. Employee #1 performs normal chemical mixing and had been provided information and training on associated chemicals. The chemical mixture is used as a biocide and not for paper bleaching.

Keywords: SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, WORK RULES, CHLORINE, CHEMICAL REACTION, CHEMICAL VAPOR, PROCESS SAFETY, TOXIC FUMES

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	17623802			Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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