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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 101212991 - Merichem Company, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Birmingham Area Office
Site Address:
Merichem Company, Inc.
1 Warrior Road
Holt, AL 35404
Mailing Address:
P O Box Q, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 08/14/1987
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 08/30/1988
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360652101 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Current Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $1,440 | $7,200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $8,640 |
| Current Penalty | $2,440 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,440 |
| 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 | 12/03/1987 | 12/06/1987 | $720 | $720 | $0 | 01/08/1988 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 5A0001 | 12/03/1987 | 12/06/1987 | $720 | $720 | $0 | 01/08/1988 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 02001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 12/03/1987 | 12/06/1987 | $1,000 | $7,200 | $0 | 01/08/1988 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
TWO MAINTENANCE WORKERS WERE USING AN ELECTRIC GRINDER WITH A 9-INCH ABRASIVE WHEEL TO REMOVE RUSTY BOLTS FROM A 6-INCH VENT PIPE FLANGE. THE VENT WAS ON THE TOP OF A 35-FOOT-HIGH SULFURIC ACID TANK AND WAS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE AREA AROUND THE FLANGE. THE EMPLOYEES WERE TO REPLACE THE OLD CARBON STEEL VENT PIPE WITH A POLYVINYL CHLORIDE PIPE. THE TWO EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN GRINDING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN A PUFF OF MIST AROSE FROM THE VENT PIPE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED, AND THE EMPLOYEES WERE THROWN OFF THE TANK. THEY DIED OF THE INJURIES THEY RECEIVED IN FALLING.
Keywords: GRINDER, E GI V, ELECTRICAL, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, EXPLOSION, FALL, SULFURIC ACID, ELEC EQUIPMENT--MISC
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101212991 | Fatality | Concussion | Industrial machinery repairers | ||
| 2 | 101212991 | Fatality | Concussion | Industrial machinery repairers |