Inspection Detail

Inspection: 104726740 - Chautauqua Co Dpw

Inspection Information - Office: Nys Dol Pesh Buffalo

Investigation Summary

On July 27, 1987, Employees #1 through #5 were performing various duties on the working face of a sanitary landfill. Employee #3, a compactor operator, noticed an unusual smell and asked Employee #1 for verification. When he was within approximately 10 yards of the source of the smell, Employee #1 experienced shortness of breath and weakness in his knees. Employee #2, who was approximately 4 yards away from the source of the smell, immediately left the area with Employees #1 and #3. Employee #4, a pan operator, also left the area upon noticing the smell. Employee #5, another pan operator, was approximately 100 yards from the source and did not detect any odor. Employees # 1 through #4 were exposed for less than two minutes and could not identify the odor, although they reported an acid taste in their mouths. All five employees were checked on-site by a local fire department rescue squad and transported to W. C. A. Hospital, Jamestown, NY. They were checked and released, and returned to work at the landfill.

Keywords: RESPIRATORY, INHALATION, GAS, LANDFILL, OVEREXPOSURE