Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14562664 - Employee dies of burns from exploding drum

Accident Summary Nr: 14562664 -- Report ID: 0214700 -- Event Date: 11/07/1988
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100514785	11/14/1988	2077	0	B.A. Tofte Co. Inc.

Abstract: At approximately 3:00 p.m. on November 7, 1988, Employee #1 was using an acetylene torch to cut open the top of a 55 gallon drum in the yard adjacent to the plant. The sealed drum was apparently empty but could have contained the residue of either an industrial lubricant or a solvent. The drum exploded. With its bottom blown out, the drum was propelled about 40 feet straight up into the air. Employee #1 was engulfed in fire. He sustained 3rd-degree burns to 70 to 80 percent of his body. He was taken by helicopter to a hospital burn unit, where he died two days later.

Keywords: BURN, ACETYLENE TORCH, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, DRUM, FIRE, EXPLOSION, CUTTING AND BURNING

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	100514785			Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported

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