Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 201951068 - Employee injured in explosion of gasses by hot slag

Accident Summary Nr: 201951068 -- Report ID: 0522000 -- Event Date: 05/23/1997
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
103234670	05/29/1997	1711	0	Applied Mechanical Systems

Abstract: At 10:15 a.m. on May 23, 1997, Employee #1 and coworkers, of Applied Mechanical Systems Personnel, were using a torch to cut through metal wall studs to insert piping for the plumbing system, which was to be connected to a previously installed PVC pipe system. They removed the caps from the existing system, which had been closed and under pressure, and were installing union couplings. The materials being used to clean and cement the pipes had low flash points and vapor densities exceeding 1.0. The cement used to join the couplings and the trapped gasses from closure of the system provided the fuel for an explosion. The cutting torch served as a source of ignition, as hot byproducts fell from over top the exposed piping system. Employee #1 sustained contusions and abrasions, but he was not hospitalized.

Keywords: VAPOR, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, MOLTEN SLAG, WORK RULES, CONSTRUCTION, TORCH, EXPLOSION, MOLTEN METAL, HIGH PRESSURE, PIPE

Accident Details
End Use		Project Type		Project Cost	Stories	Non-building Height	Fatality
Commercial building		Alteration or rehabilitation		$1,000,000 to $5,000,000	1	22

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation	Construction
1	103234670			Non Hospitalized injury	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Plumber, pipefitter and steamfiter apprentices	Distance of Fall: feet Worker Height Above Ground/Floor: feet Cause: Installing plumbing, lighting fixtures Fatality Cause: Fire/explosion

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