Powered by GoogleTranslate

Return to Accident Search Results

Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 170177323 - EMPLOYEES EXPOSED TO ETHYLENE OXIDE

Accident Summary Nr: 170177323 -- Report ID: 0950643 -- Event Date: 12/21/1990
Inspection NrDate OpenedSICNAICSEstablishment Name
11222714512/28/199063240La County Health Services -High Desert Hosp.

Abstract: DURING THE INSTALLATION AND TESTING OF A NEW ETHYLENE OXIDE STERILIZER, SAFETY DEVICES MALFUNCTIONED AND ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS RELEASED INTO THE WORK AREA, SETTING OFF THE ETHYLENE OXIDE MONITOR. THE EMPLOYEES WERE EVACUATED FROM THE AREA. EMPLOYEE #1 RE-ENTERED THE AREA, IGNORING THE ALARM, TO TEST FOR LEAKS. EMPLOYEE #2 RESPONDED FOLLOWING EPA PROCEDURE EXCEPT HE DID NOT WEAR A RESPIRATOR AS HE HAD NOT BEEN TRAINED. WHILE EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 WERE TESTING FOR LEAKS WITH THE STERILIZER PRESSURIZED, THE CHARGE VALVES REMAINED OPEN. STERILIZER PRESSURE EXCEEDED THE OVERPRESSURE RELIEF VALVE SETTING. AS A RESULT, ETHYLENE OXIDE WAS RELEASED INTO THE FACE OF EMPLOYEE #2.

Keywords: PPE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, UNTRAINED, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, RESPIRATOR

Employee Details
Employee # Inspection Nr Age Sex Degree of Injury Nature of Injury Occupation
1 112227145 Non Hospitalized injury Cancer Mechanical engineering technicians
2 112227145 Non Hospitalized injury Cancer Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c.

Thank You for Visiting Our Website

You are exiting the Department of Labor's Web server.

The Department of Labor does not endorse, takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over the linked organization or its views, or contents, nor does it vouch for the accuracy or accessibility of the information contained on the destination server. The Department of Labor also cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked Web sites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked Web site. Thank you for visiting our site. Please click the button below to continue.

Close