Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 899013 - TEN EMPLOYEES INJURED WHEN EXPOSED TO HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS

Accident Summary Nr: 899013 -- Report ID: 0355118 -- Event Date: 05/04/1988
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
105681159	05/05/1988	2621	0	Westvaco

Abstract: AT 10 A.M. ON MAY 4, 1988, TEN EMPLOYEES WERE HOSPITALIZED AS A RESULT OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE EXPOSURE AT WESTVACO. A FAILURE OF THE #2 STORAGE TANK CAUSED APPROXIMATELY 300,000 GALLONS OF GREEN LIQUOR TO SPILL INTO A RIVER AND STORM DRAINAGE SEWER SYSTEM. THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS LOCATED AROUND THE STORAGE TANKS AND CONTINUES TOWARD THE RECOVERY BUILDING. THE PURPOSE OF THIS DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS TO COLLECT RUN-OFF FROM OPERATIONS LOCATED ALONG THE SYSTEM. SOME OF THE OPERATIONS DISCHARGE ACIDS INTO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. GREEN LIQUOR WAS SPILLED INTO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM WHEN THE TANK RUPTURED. THE GREEN LIQUOR COMBINED WITH ACID IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO FORM HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS. EMPLOYEES WERE AFFECTED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG THE PATH OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO THE WASTE TREATMENT PLANT.

Keywords: RESPIRATORY, HYDROGEN SULFIDE, INHALATION, STORAGE TANK, RUPTURE, CHEMICAL REACTION, TOXIC FUMES, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
2	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
3	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
4	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
5	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
6	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
7	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
8	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
9	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported
10	105681159	Hospitalized injury	Other	Occupation not reported

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