Inspection Detail

Inspection: 104454905 - Purdue Farms Incorporated

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

On February 17, 1993, a fire broke out at a grain drying facility on site, the emergency alarm was sounded, and the company fire brigade responded with necessary equipment to fight the fire. Hoses were rolled out and were hooked to the standpipes at the grain dryer and to the fire trucks as well. Pumping units on the truck began delivering water to the standpipes; however, the valve at the standpipe was never opened. Employee #1, a safety officer, was monitoring the brigade's actions. He stood in proximity to the water hose and, since the valve was never opened, the hose ruptured at its seam. This sudden rupture caused the hose to contact the employee's right thigh, creating a bruise. The company's fire brigade receives training from MFRI and all hoses are routinely hydrostatically tested at 250 psi.

Keywords: THIGH, RUPTURE, HIGH PRESSURE, VALVE, WATER HOSE, STRUCK BY, FIRE BRIGADE, CONTUSION, INATTENTION