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Inspection Detail

Inspection: 102300654 - Archem Co.

Inspection Information - Office: Houston North Area Office

 

Inspection Nr: 102300654
Report ID: 0626600
Date Opened: 01/12/1988

Site Address:
Archem Co.
13103 Conklin
Houston, TX 77234

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 34507, Houston, TX 77234

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:1741

NAICS: 0 

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 01/29/1988

Planning Guide: Safety-Manufacturing

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 03/25/1988

Related Activity
Type Activity Nr Safety Health
Accident 360410039
Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties Serious Willful Repeat Other Unclass Total
Initial Violations 2 2
Current Violations 1 1
Initial Penalty $1,280 $0 $0 $0 $0 $1,280
Current Penalty $640 $0 $0 $0 $0 $640
FTA Penalty $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Violation Items
# Citation ID Citaton Type Standard Cited Issuance Date Abatement Due Date Current Penalty Initial Penalty FTA Penalty Contest Latest Event Note
1. 01001 Serious 19100106 H07 IA 03/01/1988 03/04/1988 $640 $640 $0 -  
2. 01002 Serious 19101200 H02 II 03/01/1988 03/09/1988 $640 $640 $0 I - Informal Settlement Citation has been deleted.

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 14498158
Event: 01/09/1988
ONE EMPLOYEE KILLED, 2 INJURED WHEN REACTOR EXPLODED

EMPLOYEE #1 AND OTHER EMPLOYEE(S) HAD CHARGED REACTOR "B", A 2000 GALLON 304 STAINLESS STEEL PRESSURE VESSEL, WITH METHANOL, CAUSTIC, AND ORTHO-NITROCHLOROBENZENE. THE EMPLOYEES WERE PRESSURIZING THE REACTOR WITH NITROGEN WHEN A DETONATION OCCURRED. APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 MINUTES AFTER THE REACTOR HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH ALL THE RAW MATERIALS THE PRESSURE RELIEF SYSTEM RELEASED WITH EXPLOSIVE FORCE. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS KILLED, WHILE EMPLOYEES #2 & 3 WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES.

Keywords: METHYL ALCOHOL, REACTOR, PRESSURE VESSEL, EXPLOSION, CHEMICAL REACTION, HIGH PRESSURE, STRUCK BY, PRESSURE RELEASE, CHEMICAL

Investigated Inspection
# Inspection Age Sex Degree of Injury Nature of Injury Occupation
1 102300654 Fatality Other Occupation not reported
2 102300654 Hospitalized injury Fracture Occupation not reported
3 102300654 Hospitalized injury Burn(Chemical) Occupation not reported
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