Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 845131 - Two employees killed in gas-fired boiler explosion

Accident Summary Nr: 845131 -- Report ID: 0521100 -- Event Date: 11/05/1990
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
103052908	11/05/1990	2819	0	Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc.

Abstract: At approximately 12:48 a.m. on November 5, 1990, Employees #1 and #2 were attempting to diagnose a problem with a gas-fired boiler which was functioning as a back-up (set up to start automatically when the first boiler couldn't keep up). While draining water from the boiler, the two employees were standing between the two boilers. An explosion occurred, killing both of them. A selector switch that had been installed incorrectly by another employee caused the boiler chamber to fill with natural gas prior to pilot light ignition. The operator failed to follow start-up procedures established by the installer.

Keywords: PILOT LIGHT, REPAIR, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, BOILER, NATURAL GAS, EXPLOSION

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	103052908			Fatality	Other	Occupation not reported
2	103052908			Fatality	Other	Occupation not reported

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