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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 101353209 - Union Oil Of California
Inspection Information - Office: Chicago South Area Office
Site Address:
Union Oil Of California
7351 South 78th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: Union
SIC:2821
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Referral
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 12/13/1988
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 10/31/1989
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 901045542 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Current Violations | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $6,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,000 |
| Current Penalty | $4,200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4,200 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citation Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100106 H03 IIA | 12/29/1988 | 03/04/1989 | $700 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100106 H03 IIIA | 12/29/1988 | 03/04/1989 | $700 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100106 H04 IVA | 12/29/1988 | 03/04/1989 | $700 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100106 H07 III | 12/29/1988 | 03/04/1989 | $700 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100106 H08 I | 12/29/1988 | 02/04/1989 | $700 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19100178 C02 III | 12/29/1988 | 02/04/1989 | $700 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Employee #2 was assigned by Employee #4 to make a product coded 76 RES3020X-1. This particular product was being made in the #5 reactor room. The primary vessels used in making this product were reactor #5 and vessels 209 and 211. Employee #2 began to make the product by charging V211 with vinyl acetate. However, he did not know that V211 was heated to a temperature that exceeded the boiling point of vinyl acetate. When the vinyl acetate was charged into the heated vessel, it vaporized and escaped through an open hatch. Pockets of vapors were allowed to accumulate and eventually exploded when ignited by an unknown ignition source. As a result of the explosion, Employee #1's leg was broken. Employees #2 and #4 were seriously burned; Employee #4 died at a later date. Employee #3 suffered multiple bruises. This explosion could possibly have been prevented if Employee #2 had checked the temperature of V211, or if the computer control system had been designed or programmed to check the vessel before allowing it be charged with a flammable monomer.
Keywords: BURN, FRACTURE, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, EXPLOSION, PROCESS SAFETY, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, CHEMICAL, HIGH TEMPERATURE, LEG
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101353209 | Hospitalized injury | Fracture | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 101353209 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 3 | 101353209 | Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Occupation not reported | ||
| 4 | 101353209 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported |