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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 109145631 - Hunter'S Sales, Inc
Inspection Information - Office: Savannah Area Office
Site Address:
Hunter'S Sales, Inc
418 S. Railroad Ave.
Twin City, GA 31471
Mailing Address:
Po Box 369, Twin City, GA 30471
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2842
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: Y
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 05/16/2000
Planning Guide: Health-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 04/08/2002
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100901156 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 14 | 2 | 16 | |||
| Current Violations | 14 | 2 | 16 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $22,200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $22,200 |
| Current Penalty | $18,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18,000 |
| 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 | 19100120 Q01 | 10/16/2000 | 12/22/2000 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100132 D01 | 10/16/2000 | 01/05/2001 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100132 F01 | 10/16/2000 | 01/05/2001 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100133 A01 | 10/16/2000 | 12/15/2000 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100134 C01 | 10/16/2000 | 01/05/2001 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19100134 D01 III | 10/16/2000 | 01/05/2001 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 7. | 01007 | Serious | 19100147 C01 | 10/16/2000 | 12/15/2000 | $810 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 8. | 01008 | Serious | 19100151 B | 10/16/2000 | 12/15/2000 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 9. | 01009 | Serious | 19100157 G01 | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $486 | $600 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 10. | 01010A | Serious | 19100176 A | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $1,152 | $1,400 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 11. | 01010B | Serious | 19100178 L01 I | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 12. | 01011 | Serious | 19100305 G01 III | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $486 | $600 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 13. | 01012 | Serious | 19100305 G02 II | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $486 | $600 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 14. | 01013 | Serious | 19101000 B01 | 10/16/2000 | 01/05/2001 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 15. | 01014 | Serious | 19101200 E01 | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 16. | 02001 | Other | 19101020 G01 I | 10/16/2000 | 11/09/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 17. | 02002 | Other | 19101030 C01 I | 10/16/2000 | 12/08/2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Employee #1 was mixing an automobile cleaning solution, which required that several chemicals to be added to a mixing tank. He would first weigh out the appropriate amount of a chemical and then use a chemical transfer pump to move it into an empty drum until the desired amount (by weight) was obtained. This task was repeated for each of the chemicals involved. At the time of the accident, Employee #1 was using an old chemical transfer pump to move hydrofluoric acid solution when the hose joint failed. The hose appeared to break away, and hydrofluoric acid, sprayed out onto Employee #1. He ran to the emergency shower, where the solution began to react with the water, the concrete floor, and his skin, creating a cloud of hydrogen fluoride gas that immediately obscured the area. Employee #1 inhaled the vapors, and over 20 percent of his body had been contaminated by the hydrofluoric acid spray. A coworker made Employee #1 remove his clothes while he and another coworker tried to wash him down. Apparently Employee #1 then went back into the gas cloud to turn off the chemical pump. Emergency Services arrived on the scene and treated Employee #1. While he was being transported to the hospital, Employee #1 began to have problems breathing and wanted to sit up. The moment he did, he vomited sputum several times and then went into respiratory arrest. All efforts to resuscitate him were ineffective, and he died before arriving at the hospital. At the time of the accident, Employee #1 was not wearing any personal protective equipment. Three days before the incident, the company had received a new chemical transfer pump, which was scheduled to replace the one that failed. Approximately 20 gallons of hydrofluoric acid were released from the drum onto the concrete floor.
Keywords: RESPIRATORY, HYDROFLUORIC ACID, WORK RULES, INHALATION, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, HOSE, CHEMICAL REACTION, CHEMICAL BURN, CHEMICAL VAPOR, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 109145631 | Fatality | Other | Chemical technicians |