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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 107566838 - Amoco Chemical
Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office
Site Address:
Amoco Chemical
Road 519
Texas City, TX 77590
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: Union
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 01/12/1993
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/12/1993
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361141369 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $20,000 |
| Current Penalty | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,000 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100119 F01 IIIB | 01/21/1993 | 02/23/1993 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100119 F01 IIIE | 01/21/1993 | 02/23/1993 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100119 G02 | 01/21/1993 | 02/23/1993 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100119 J05 | 01/21/1993 | 02/23/1993 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
Investigation Summary
On September 15, 1992, during the day shift, the steam distillate was found to contain high levels of ACN. The source of the ACN was the reboiler (DE-708A). Because the other reboiler (DE-708B) had already been taken out of service, operations management decided to shut down the BEU at approximately 10:30 a.m. The first step of the shut down involved redirecting the butadiene product to the "off-spec" tank and placing the solvent loop in a recycle mode. At approximately 12:30 p.m. the compressor serving the stripper (T705) was being isolated. Before completing these two processes, the employees were directed by the supervisor to isolate the reboiler (DE-708A). Two operators, Employees #1 and #2, and the shift foreman, Employee #3, climbed up onto the platforms and began to isolate the reboiler. Employee #1 had closed the steam control valve to the reboiler and then stopped the lower level and began to close the block valve on the liquid leg. Employee #2 was attempting to close the steam block valve but had to wait for help from Employee #1 because it was too hard to turn. Employees #1 and #2 heard a hammering sound but simply attributed the sound to maintenance men in the area, Employees #4 , #5, and #6, knocking on something. Hearing the same hammering sound, Employees #4 through #6 thought the same of Employees #1 through #3. One of the operators and Employee #3 closed the vapor line block valve. Again a hammering sound was heard. The operator, thinking a PSV was releasing, reopened the vapor line valve. There was a loud noise and a cloud of yellow smoke appeared. Hot liquid from the reboiler sprayed Employees #1 through #6, knocking one employee over the rail to the lower level. There was no fire, only a lot of smoke. All six employees were rescued, and then transported and admitted to the hospital.
Keywords: BOILER, VALVE, BURN, MAINTENANCE, VAPOR, CONSTRUCTION, FALL, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 107566838 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 107566838 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 3 | 107566838 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported |