Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 550509 - Employee dies in explosion after using torch on asphalt tank

Accident Summary Nr: 550509 -- Report ID: 0627400 -- Event Date: 06/08/1994
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
123410722	06/09/1994	1761	0	Ar Contractors Of America, Inc
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
123410680	06/09/1994	1542	0	Tribble & Stephens Co.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
123411217	06/09/1994	1731	0	Galbraith Electric Co.
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
107407512	06/09/1994	1791	0	Welco Steel

Abstract: Employee #1 was directed to use an open-flame propane torch to unclog a pipe line/elbow on top of an asphalt tanker trailer. The pipe line/elbow was blocked with solidified asphalt. The blockage was suspected to be located at the pipe elbow on the gasoline-powered submerged pump. The employee checked the side motor mount area with a live, open-flame propane torch while the internal asphalt tanker heaters were operating (heating the asphalt and creating off-gassing within the tank's interior). It is suspected that the torch ignited combustible vapors/gases that were seeping out around the motor mount. The explosion blew the submerged pump off its mount and into the employee's upper body and head. The employee was blown off the platform and landed on the ground. He was burned over his upper body by the flash fire. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.

Keywords: HEAD, EXPLOSION, BURN, FIRE, WORK RULES, VAPOR, CONSTRUCTION, GAS, PROPANE TORCH, ASPHALT

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	123410722	Fatality	Bruise/Contus/Abras	Occupation not reported
2	123410680			Occupation Not Listed
3	123411217			Occupation Not Listed
4	107407512			Occupation Not Listed

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