Inspection Detail

Inspection: 102907789 - Tourneau, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Manhattan Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 12:40 p.m. on October 23, 1996, Employees #1 through #4, two mechanics and two porters, were working near the lobby of a building managed by the Jeffrey Management Corporation. Three 1-gallon bottles of nitric, hydrochloric, and sulfuric acids had been purchased as consumer items by a Tourneau, Inc., employee for home use and were temporarily left in the lobby smoke shop while he arranged pick-up by a relative. The bottles cracked, and the smoke shop employee pushed the box out next to the lobby reception desk. The chemicals reacted, producing a thick cloud of smoke and a corrosive vapor. Neither the fire department nor a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team were summoned, and the lobby smoke alarm did not respond. Employees #1 through #4 were injured as they tried to contain the spill. All four were hospitalized for treatment of chemical burns to their lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. The building tenants and employees, some of whom experienced difficulties breathing, were evacuated by the NYCDEP.

Keywords: WORK RULES, INHALATION, CHEMICAL BURN, SULFURIC ACID, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, CAUSTIC, CHEMICAL REACTION, SMOKE, NITRIC ACID, SPILL