TranslateAccident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 800060 - Three Employees Injured When Chemical Mixture Ignites
| Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301774782 | 03/24/1999 | 3695 | 0 | Fuji Photo Film, Inc. |
Abstract: At approximately 9:00 a.m. on March 23, 1999, Employees #1 through#3 were starting the initial phase of a mixing operation. Employees #1 and #2 were reading the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) while Employee #1 added the chemicals. The employees who were reading skipped two steps, which called for a nitrogen purge on the tank to reduce the oxygen level to below 4 percent. These steps were necessary because the last chemical to be added was a self-heating powder that oxidized rapidly in the presence of oxygen. When Employee #3 added the product in the presence of oxygen, a flash fire broke out and powder was blown from the vessel. This caused the overhead sprinklers to activate and the plant was evacuated. Employees #1 through #3 were transported to the hospital, where they were treated and released. The employer was cited for deficient operating procedures, deficient management of change procedures, and failure to have a written plan for employee evacuation.
| Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301774782 | Non Hospitalized injury | Other | Mixing and blending machine operators | ||
| 2 | 301774782 | Non Hospitalized injury | Other | Mixing and blending machine operators | ||
| 3 | 301774782 | Non Hospitalized injury | Other | Mixing and blending machine operators |