Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200631505 - Four Workers Are Killed in Propane Gas Explosion

Accident Summary Nr: 200631505 -- Report ID: 0316400 -- Event Date: 01/30/2007
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
309474781	01/31/2007	1711	238220	Appalachian Heating, Llc

Abstract: On January 30, 2007, two workers employed by Appalachian Heating were installing a new propane tank at a small convenience store (Little General Store) and gas station. The workers were transferring gas from the existing tank to the new one, when a relief valve on the old tank stuck in the open position. Propane was released, and when the propane gas cloud reached an ignition source, an explosion occurred. The explosion destroyed the convenience store and several nearby vehicles. The two employees from Appalachian Heating were killed, as were two volunteer fire fighters. Four convenience store workers and a volunteer fire fighter were seriously injured and hospitalized.

Keywords: INSTALLING, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, MECHANIC, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, EXPLOSION, GAS LEAK, PROPANE, CONCUSSION, TANK

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Tower, tank, storage elevator		New project or new addition		Under $50,000			X

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	309474781			Fatality	Concussion	Managers and administrators, n.e.c	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing equipment (HVAC and other) Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion
2	309474781			Fatality	Concussion	Laborers, except construction	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing equipment (HVAC and other) Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion

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