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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 100446566 - Stackpole Fibers Company, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Boston South Area Office
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
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360669204 |
| 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 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
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
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100446566 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported |