Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14552459 - BURNS FROM XYLENE FIRE

Accident Summary Nr: 14552459 -- Report ID: 0213400 -- Event Date: 04/27/1985
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1055458	05/13/1985	5171	0	Shell Oil Co., Sewaren Plant

Abstract: TWO EMPLOYEES WERE PREPARING TO CALIBRATE SOLVENT METERS. THEY WERE PURGING A CALIBRATED TANK SYSTEM WHICH WAS CONTAMINATED WITH XYLENE (FLAMMABLE LIQUID). THE XYLENE WAS DRAINING INTO A 5 GALLON PAIL WHICH WAS NOT BONDED TO THE DRAIN NOZZLE. A DISCHARGE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY FROM THE PAIL PRODUCED A SPARK WHICH IGNITED THE FLAMMABLE VAPOR-AIR MIXTURE IN THE AREA. EMPLOYEE #1 SUSTAINED 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS OVER 34 % OVER HIS BODY. EMPLOYEE #2 FELL AND INJURED HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. HE WAS RUNNING WITH A FIRE EXTINGUSHER TO HELP EMPLOYEE #1, WHOSE CLOTHES WERE ON FIRE.

Keywords: BURN, STATIC ELECTRICITY, SHOULDER, FLAMMABLE LIQUID, XYLENE, FIRE, FALL, SPARK

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1055458			Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
2	1055458			Hospitalized injury	Dislocation	Occupation not reported

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