Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14570204 - EXPLOSION - HYDROGEN GAS LEAKED INTO GENERATOR EXCITER

Accident Summary Nr: 14570204 -- Report ID: 0522500 -- Event Date: 09/05/1986
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
101725604	09/06/1986	4911	0	Ohio Edison W.H. Sammis Plant

Abstract: THE DIRECT CURRENT SYSTEM IN A LARGE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING PLANT FAILED. THE DIRECT CURRENT SYSTEM WAS USED TO SUPPLY POWER FOR SWITCHING AND TO SUPPLY POWER TO THE EMERGENCY OIL PUMPS ON THE GENERATORS. AS ONE OF THE GENERATORS BEGAN TO LOSE OIL PRESSURE (WHICH LUBRICATES THE BEARINGS AND HYDROGEN SEALS ON THE UNIT), THE LARGE BABBIT BEARINGS OVERHEATED AND BEGAN TO MELT. THE OIL IGNITED AND FIRES STARTED AT EACH JOURNAL, AND HYDROGEN GAS ESCAPED PAST THE SEALS AND INTO AN EXCITER COVERING. THE HYDROGEN EXPLODED, INJURING 24 EMPLOYEES. THESE EMPLOYEES WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR THEIR INJURIES.

Keywords: HYDROGEN, FIRE, EXPLOSION, BEARING, ELEC UTILITY WORK, SEAL, ELECTRIC GENERATOR

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
2	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
3	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
4	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
5	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
6	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
7	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
8	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
9	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
10	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
11	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
12	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
13	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
14	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
15	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
16	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
17	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
18	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
19	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
20	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
21	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
22	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
23	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Cut/Laceration	Occupation not reported
24	101725604	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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