Inspection Detail

Inspection: 100446566 - Stackpole Fibers Company, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Boston South Area Office

Inspection Nr: 100446566

Report ID: 0111400

Date Opened: 08/21/1985

Site Address:
Stackpole Fibers Company, Inc.
Foundry Industrial Park
Lowell, MA 01852

Mailing Address:
Foundry Industrial Park, Lowell, MA 01852

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:3295

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Health

Close Conference: 08/28/1985

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 06/05/1986

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	360669204

Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties	Serious	Willful	Repeat	Other	Unclass	Total
Initial Violations	2			4		6
Current Violations	2			4		6
Initial Penalty	$700	$0	$0	$0	$0	$700
Current Penalty	$700	$0	$0	$0	$0	$700
FTA Penalty	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Violation Items
#	Citation ID	Citaton Type	Standard Cited	Issuance Date	Abatement Due Date	Current Penalty	Initial Penalty	FTA Penalty	Latest Event
1.	01001	Serious	5A0001	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$350	$350	$0	-
2.	01002A	Serious	19100134 B01	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$350	$350	$0	-
3.	01002B	Serious	19100134 B02	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-
4.	01002C	Serious	19100134 B03	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-
5.	01002D	Serious	19100134 E03 I	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-
6.	02001	Other	19100020 G01	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-
7.	02002	Other	19100094 D11 I	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-
8.	02003	Other	19100134 B05	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-
9.	02004	Other	19100157 C04	12/27/1985	01/21/1986	$0	$0	$0	-

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 14265102

Event: 08/19/1985

FREON 12 EXPOSURE IN FURNACE; DIED FROM PROBABLE LACK OF O2

A MAINTENANCE MECHANIC WAS LOWERED BY HOIST INTO A 9 1/2 FT HIGH VACUUM BATCH FURNACE TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE FURNACE HAD BEEN PRESSURIZED WITH FREON 12 AND NITROGEN TO TEST FOR LEAKS. THE EMPLOYEE (#1) WAS WEARING A CARTRIDGE RESPIRATOR FOR ORGANIC VAPORS. ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER HE REACHED THE BOTTOM HE SIGNALLED TO THE MAINTENANCE FOREMAN TO BE LIFTED FROM THE FURNACE. HE COMPLAINED TO THE FOREMAN OF A BURNING IN HIS THROAT AND LUNGS WHEN HE BREATHED. THE FURNACE WAS THEN EXHAUST VENTILATED WITH A BLOWER. THE BLOWER HOSE, INSTEAD OF EXTENDING COMPLETELY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FURNACE, ONLY REACHED TO WITHIN 3 1/2 FEET OF THE BOTTOM. EMPLOYEE #1 REENTERED THE FURNACE TO INSPECT A HEAT SHIELD LOCATED 12 INCHES ABOVE THE BOTTOM. THE FOREMAN WENT TO GET A PIECE OF GRAPHITE WOOL. WHEN HE RETURNED, ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER, HE FOUND EMPLOYEE #1 UNCONSCIOUS IN THE FURNACE. THE FOREMAN YELLED FOR HELP. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE ENTERED THE FURNACE AND ASSISTED IN REMOVING EMPLOYEE #1. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. ATMOSPHERIC TESTING IN THE FURNACE REVEALED THE FREON 12 LEVEL AS HIGH AS 16% AND THE OXYGEN LEVEL AS LOW AS 16%. THE CHARCOAL IN THE RESPIRATOR CARTRIDGE WAS ALSO SATURATED WITH FREON 12. THE AUTOPSY REPORT LISTED THE CAUSE OF DEATH AS ACUTE CARDIORESPIRATORY FAILURE DUE TO THE INHALATION OF FREON 12.

Keywords: FURNACE, OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, RESPIRATORY, MAINTENANCE, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, CONFINED SPACE, INHALATION, FREON, RESPIRATOR

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	100446566			Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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