Inspection Detail

Inspection: 105474928 - Fire Department, City Of Georgetown

Inspection Information - Office: Sc Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation

Investigation Summary

ON MARCH 21, 1988, EMPLOYEE #1 APPARENTLY ATTEMPTED TO ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF AN EXCESS ARGON USAGE THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. IN DOING SO HE ENTERED, ALONE, A LADLE TURRET WHICH OFTEN CONTAINS ARGON GAS. THE TURRET IS 15 FEET IN DIAMETER AND HAS 2 DOORS ON THE BOTTOM SECTION AND ONE DOOR IN THE UPPER LADLE HOLDER. THE CEILING IS 8 FEET HIGH. A CONTRACTOR ON SITE REMEMBERED SOMEONE WEARING A WHITE HARD HAT AND COVERALLS ENTERING THE BOTTOM TURRET BETWEEN 8:30 AND 9 AM. NO ONE NOTICED EMPLOYEE #1 THE REST OF THE DAY. AT ABOUT 12:30 AM EMPLOYEE #1'S WIFE CALLED THE PLANT BECAUSE HER HUSBAND HAD NOT COME HOME. EMPLOYEES NOTICED THAT EMPLOYEE #1'S TRUCK WAS STILL PARKED AT THE PLANT SO THEY BEGAN LOOKING FOR HIM. HE WAS FOUND, DEAD, IN THE LADLE TURRET AT ABOUT 1 AM. LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS, EQUIPPED WITH SCBA'S, RETRIEVED EMPLOYEE #1'S BODY. (APPARENTLY THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER WHO WROTE THIS REPORT PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT THE CONTINUATION SHEET HAS BEEN LOST. W.G.)

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, RESPIRATORY, ASPHYXIATED, LADLE, WORK RULES, ARGON, CONFINED SPACE