Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200552537 - Explosive gases within a container ignited killing two

Accident Summary Nr: 200552537 -- Report ID: 0625700 -- Event Date: 05/10/2002
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
304476187	05/10/2002	1542	0	Brunt Construction

Abstract: On May 10, 2002, an oxygen-acetylene cutting rig was stored overnight in an unventilated SeaLand shipping container. All the valves on the cylinders and the torch were left open overnight, and the gases filled the container with an explosive gas mixture. A nonintrinsically safe incandescent light and switch were installed within the container. The gas mixture exploded when the light was turned on the following morning, resulting in the death of two employees and the hospitalization of a third.

Keywords: OXYGEN, CYLINDER, ACETYLENE, EXPLOSIVE MIXING, GAS, EXPLOSION, VALVE, GAS LEAK, CUTTING AND BURNING

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Other building		New project or new addition		$500,000 to $1,000,000	3		X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	304476187	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Temporary work (buildings, facilities) Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion
2	304476187	Fatality	Fracture	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Temporary work (buildings, facilities) Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion
3	304476187	Fatality	Amputation	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Temporary work (buildings, facilities) Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion

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