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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 101072734 - Ref-Chem Corp
Inspection Information - Office: Lubbock Area Office
Site Address:
Ref-Chem Corp
3001 S. Dixie
Odessa, TX 79766
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2588, Odessa, TX 79760
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2813
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 10/29/1987
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 12/20/1988
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360153571 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Current Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $4,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4,500 |
| Current Penalty | $1,350 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,350 |
| 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 | 19100094 A05 I | 01/13/1988 | 01/16/1988 | $450 | $900 | $0 | 02/08/1988 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100094 A05 IV | 01/13/1988 | 02/02/1988 | $450 | $900 | $0 | 02/08/1988 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100094 A06 | 01/13/1988 | 01/16/1988 | $450 | $900 | $0 | 02/08/1988 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100134 D03 | 01/13/1988 | 03/02/1988 | $900 | $900 | $0 | 02/08/1988 | J - ALJ Decision | Citation has been deleted. |
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100244 B | 01/13/1988 | 03/02/1988 | $900 | $900 | $0 | 02/08/1988 | J - ALJ Decision | Citation has been deleted. |
Investigation Summary
When Employee #1 could not obtain breathing air from the installed line, he adapted unapproved hoses with quick disconnects so he could connect a respirator for use in abrasive blasting to a gas line supplying a blasting pot. This piping was not color coded or labeled in accordance with company policy, so Employee #1 did not know he was connecting to a nitrogen line instead of compressed air. He died of asphyxia. Since nitrogen is a waste gas in an air separation plant, it is used instead of compressed air for operating pneumatic equipment.
Keywords: AIR LINE RESPIRATOR, ASPHYXIATED, PPE, ABRASIVE BLASTING, WORK RULES, INHALATION, NITROGEN, AIR LINE, SANDBLASTING, MECH MALFUNCTION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101072734 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported |