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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 101020386 - Himont U.S.A., Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office
Site Address:
Himont U.S.A., Inc.
Cities Service Hwy. 108
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 1687, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Union Status: Union
SIC:2821
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: Y
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 02/06/1987
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/31/1987
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360135149 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $560 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $560 |
| Current Penalty | $560 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $560 |
| 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 | 19100145 C03 | 03/05/1987 | 03/08/1987 | $560 | $560 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
EMPLOYEE #1 WAS PLACING PHENOLIC NAME TAGS ON TESTING INSTRUMENTS INSIDE THE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH ROOM AT K-LINE. THE K-LINE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH WAS ON A NITROGEN BACK-UP FOR INSTRUMENT AIR FOR ITS ANALYZERS TO KEEP THEM EXPLOSION-PROOF. AT THE TIME, THE ANALYZERS HAD 10 SCFM OF POSITIVE PRESSURE FROM THE INSTRUMENTS BEING PURGED INTO THE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH ROOM. THE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH ROOM'S ATMOSPHERE THEREFORE WAS NITROGEN ENRICHED WHEN EMPLOYEE #1 ENTERED TO PLACE THE TAGS. THE NITROGEN REPLACED THE OXYGEN IN THE ROOM'S ATMOSPHERE, CAUSING AN OXYGEN DEFICIENCY. EMPLOYEE #1 DIED OF A LACK OF OXYGEN.
Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, RESPIRATORY, ASPHYXIATED, WORK RULES, TOXIC ATMOSPHERE, INHALATION, GAS, NITROGEN, PURGING, INATTENTION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101020386 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported |