Abstract: Three chemical operators were loading an intermediate pharmacological product from FIBC drums into a vacuum drier. The product was wet with residual heptane. After loading the first drum into the drier, a static discharge occurred inside the drier and ignited the heptane vapors. Employees #1 and #2 received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to the face, head, hands, and forearms. Employee #3 was knocked off a flight of stairs and received minor contusions. Employees #1 and #2 were hospitalized. Further investigation revealed that there was insufficient nitrogen in the drier and this allowed the vapor and oxygen mixture to reach the flammable range and ignite.