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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 111144747 - Duke Power Company
Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Winston-Salem
Site Address:
Duke Power Company
Pine Hall Road
Walnut Cove, NC 27052
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 557, Walnut Cove, NC 27052
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:4911
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 06/09/1994
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 02/26/1996
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360492490 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $14,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $14,000 |
| Current Penalty | $7,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $7,000 |
| 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 | 95012901 | 06/15/1994 | 07/18/1994 | $3,500 | $7,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100132 A | 06/15/1994 | 06/21/1994 | $3,500 | $7,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Three employees were using a liquid propane torch to heat a pipe just below a check valve. They were using the torch to liquefy sulfur in the pipe. A pump on the system pumped the liquid sulfur to a burner. The employees were severely burned when a steam-jacketed molten-sulfur valve ruptured and sprayed steam and burning molten sulfur across their chests, faces, and upper extremities. They were hospitalized for their injuries. The pump, which was equipped with an internal hydraulic relief valve set to activate at 831 pascals, was malfunctioning before the incident. In addition, the relief valve on the pump was not designed to protect the rest of the system; the valves and associated piping had a pressure rating of only 50 pascals and did not have any type of relief valve. Fire-resistant jackets were provided to but not worn by the employees.
Keywords: BURN, CHEST, CLOTHING, RUPTURE, STEAM, ELEC UTILITY WORK, PIPE, FROZEN, FACE, PRESSURE RELEASE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111144747 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Power plant operators | ||
| 2 | 111144747 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Power plant operators | ||
| 3 | 111144747 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Power plant operators |