Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 200800340 - Three employees burned when propane ignites

Accident Summary Nr: 200800340 -- Report ID: 0523300 -- Event Date: 07/25/2000
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
300571718	07/25/2000	1623	0	Michels Pipeline Construction, Inc.

Abstract: Employees #1 and #2, were welding together sections of 20 in. diameter pipe as part of a large gas pipeline project. They were each using a torch attached to separate 20 lb propane cylinders to preheat the pipe. As they were working, Employee #3, operating a side boom pipe-laying tractor, backed into one of the cylinders, puncturing it with the tractor tracks. Propane escaped through the puncture and was ignited by the torches being used to preheat the pipe. Employees #1 through #3 sustained second- and third-degree burns, for which they were hospitalized.

Keywords: BURN, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, FIRE, CONSTRUCTION, EARTHMOVING EQUIP, WELDING, PROPANE TORCH, PROPANE, CHEMICAL VAPOR, PUNCTURE

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

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	300571718	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Trenching, installing pipe Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion
2	300571718	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Trenching, installing pipe Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion
3	300571718	Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Trenching, installing pipe Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion

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