Inspection Detail

Inspection: 109204974 - E & D Maintenance And Repair, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Tampa Area Office

Investigation Summary

On October 21, 1997, several employees were in progress of performing maintenance operations at the Wheelabrator McKay Bay, Inc. facility. Metal shields were being replaced at the "exit" side of Incinerator L-3. The work area was a confined space that was reclassified into a non-permit space, after a platform was installed over the ash-cooling trough, providing it with guardrail protection. Employees of E & D Maintenance and Repair, Inc. were replacing metal shields using a scaffold that was installed over the trough. Employee #1 was not familiar with the hazards associated with the confined space and took it upon himself to retrieve a bolt used during installation of the shields, despite warnings from co-workers. The bolt was dropped into the trough and was lying on top of a crust of ashes. The ash crust appeared to be solid. However, below the ash crust, water, used to cool the ashes, was at a temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The water was caustic and the employee did not know that the area was very slippery. Employee #1 inadvertently fell into the pit, suffering third-degree burns on 75 percent of his body. The employee died from his injuries about 10 days after the accident. This was the first day on the job for Employee #1. The company had not trained employee on how to perform his duties safely while inside a confined space.

Keywords: BURN, MAINTENANCE, CAUSTIC, CONFINED SPACE, WORK RULES, INEXPERIENCE, FALL, UNTRAINED, HOT WATER, INATTENTION