Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 674192 - EMPLOYEE ASPHYXIATED IN CONFINED SPACE FILLED WITH ARGON

Accident Summary Nr: 674192 -- Report ID: 0454510 -- Event Date: 03/21/1988
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
105474902	03/22/1988	3312	0	Georgetown Steel Corporation
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
105474928	03/30/1988	9224	0	Fire Department, City Of Georgetown
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
105474910	03/24/1988	1721	0	Mcdaniels Industries

Abstract: ON MARCH 21, 1988, EMPLOYEE #1 APPARENTLY ATTEMPTED TO ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF AN EXCESS ARGON USAGE THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. IN DOING SO HE ENTERED, ALONE, A LADLE TURRET WHICH OFTEN CONTAINS ARGON GAS. THE TURRET IS 15 FEET IN DIAMETER AND HAS 2 DOORS ON THE BOTTOM SECTION AND ONE DOOR IN THE UPPER LADLE HOLDER. THE CEILING IS 8 FEET HIGH. A CONTRACTOR ON SITE REMEMBERED SOMEONE WEARING A WHITE HARD HAT AND COVERALLS ENTERING THE BOTTOM TURRET BETWEEN 8:30 AND 9 AM. NO ONE NOTICED EMPLOYEE #1 THE REST OF THE DAY. AT ABOUT 12:30 AM EMPLOYEE #1'S WIFE CALLED THE PLANT BECAUSE HER HUSBAND HAD NOT COME HOME. EMPLOYEES NOTICED THAT EMPLOYEE #1'S TRUCK WAS STILL PARKED AT THE PLANT SO THEY BEGAN LOOKING FOR HIM. HE WAS FOUND, DEAD, IN THE LADLE TURRET AT ABOUT 1 AM. LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS, EQUIPPED WITH SCBA'S, RETRIEVED EMPLOYEE #1'S BODY. (APPARENTLY THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER WHO WROTE THIS REPORT PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT THE CONTINUATION SHEET HAS BEEN LOST. W.G.)

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, RESPIRATORY, ASPHYXIATED, LADLE, WORK RULES, ARGON, CONFINED SPACE

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	105474902	Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
2	105474928			Occupation Not Listed
3	105474910			Occupation Not Listed

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