Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 517060 - One employee killed, another injured in explosion

Accident Summary Nr: 517060 -- Report ID: 0931800 -- Event Date: 03/25/1989
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
100949288	03/25/1989	2911	0	Tosco Corporation

Abstract: On March 25, 1989, Employee #1 was operating a vacuum truck that was emptying a 5,682-liter lube oil reservoir for the compressor on an alkalization unit. Due to a mechanical failure of the compressor, isobutane mixed with seal oil and approximately 1135 liters of contaminated oil was pumped into the lube oil reservoir. The flash point of the oil was lowered from 198 degrees to 23 degrees Celsius. Employee #1 had not grounded or bonded the truck to control static electricity, and the flammable vapors ignited. The resulting explosion killed Employee #1, and caused first-, second-, and third-degree burns over the face, head, hands, and arms of Employee #2. Employee #2 was hospitalized for his injuries.

Keywords: BURN, COMPRESSOR, E GI V, STATIC ELECTRICITY, ELECTRICAL, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, LOW FLASH POINT, EXPLOSION, BONDING, MECH MALFUNCTION

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	100949288			Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported
2	100949288			Fatality	Other	Occupation not reported

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