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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1092834.015 - Smark Company
Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office
Site Address:
Smark Company
8636 Otis St
South Gate, CA 90280
Mailing Address:
8636 Otis St, South Gate, CA 90280
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 493190/Other Warehousing and Storage
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 02/22/2016
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 02/14/2019
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1014768 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 8 | 11 | |||
| Current Violations | 3 | 8 | 11 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $28,800 | $0 | $0 | $8,150 | $0 | $36,950 |
| Current Penalty | $16,650 | $0 | $0 | $2,550 | $0 | $19,200 |
| 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 | Other | 342(A) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $1,500 | $5,000 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 3203(A)(5) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 3. | 01003 | Other | 3668(F) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 4. | 01004 | Other | 3382(A) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 5. | 01005 | Other | 3383(B) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 6. | 01006 | Other | 3384(A) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 7. | 01007 | Other | 5608(A) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 8. | 01008 | Other | 5623 | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $150 | $450 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order | |
| 9. | 02001 | Serious | 5194(H)(2) | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $2,025 | $8,100 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | C - Contested | |
| 10. | 03001 | Serious | 5611 | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $2,025 | $8,100 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | C - Contested | |
| 11. | 04001 | Serious | 5622 | 02/22/2016 | 03/10/2016 | $12,600 | $12,600 | $0 | 03/01/2016 | O - Administrative Law Judge Order |
Investigation Summary
At 3:11 p.m. on August 26, 2015, Employee #1, who had worked with the company for three months as a forklift operator/ repacking, was working alone in the repacking area making a transfer of flammable liquid acetone from an elevated 793-gallon stainless steel intermediate bulk container (tote) to a 350-gallon stainless steel tote on the ground. In order to make the transfer, Employee #1 elevated the 793-gallon tote with a Yale forklift. The main valve connected directly to the tote was open, and the valve connected to the transfer hose was closed. While elevating the 793-gallon tote, the valve connected to the transfer hose broke when the two totes came into contact with each other, causing the acetone liquid to spill. Employee #1 tried to close the main valve by going under the elevated tote, but it was too low. The employee went back to the forklift cab and elevated the tote higher. The employee went under the elevated tote the second time, and was able to close the valve. As the leaked acetone vapor travelled, it came in contact with the hot surface of the forklift engine, and caught the forklift and Employee #1 on fire. Employee #1 was able to get out of the burning forklift, but suffered third degree burns over more than 60 percent of his body. He was taken to a local hospital but died a month later as a result of his injuries.
Keywords: Acetone, Chemical Burn, Chemical Vapor, Fire, Flammable Liquid, Flammable Vapors, Hose, Powered Industrial Vehicle, Spill, Valve
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1092834.015 | 38 | M | Fatality | Equipment Operator: Skidsteer/Bobcat |