Inspection Detail
Inspection: 101923613 - Professional Piping
Inspection Information - Office: Iowa 0751910
Site Address:
Professional Piping
1200 Bluff Rd., John Morrell & Co.
Sioux City, IA 51107
Mailing Address:
1804 Dace Street, Sioux City, IA 51107
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1711
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Unprog Rel
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 03/20/1986
Planning Guide: Health-Construction
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 04/03/1986
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360584130 |
Investigation Summary
ON MARCH 18, 1986, AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM, EMPLOYEES #1-#10 WERE WORKING AT THEIR REGULAR JOBS ON THE CUT FLOOR (CONVERSION LINE). THE CUT FLOOR IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET AWAY FROM A COOLER IN WHICH AN AMMONIA LEAK HAD OCCURRED THE DAY BEFORE (MARCH 17TH). EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #10 BEGAN EXPERIENCING CHEST PAINS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING AND WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. AT 11 AM THE REMAINING EMPLOYEES WERE EVACUATED. MANAGEMENT TOLD EVERYONE TO RETURN TO WORK AT 12 NOON. AT 12:28 AMBULANCES WERE AGAIN SUMMONED, AND EMPLOYEES #11 THROUGH #29 WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. THESE EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #10. EMPLOYEE #20 STOPPED BREATHING ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL AND ONCE IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT WAS REVIVED BOTH TIMES. EMPLOYEES #30 AND #31 WERE NOT HOSPITALIZED, BUT VISITED THE COMPANY DOCTOR. THE AMMONIA EXPOSURE WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN PIPE IN THE COOLER. THE LEAKING AMMONIA WAS CARRIED BY THE PLANT'S VENTILATION SYSTEM TO THE WORK AREAS OF EMPLOYEES #1 - #31.
Keywords: LEAK, TOXIC FUMES, GAS LEAK, AMMONIA, INHALATION, NAUSEA
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101923613 | Occupation Not Listed |
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