Inspection Detail
Inspection: 111361499 - Intalco Aluminum Corp
Inspection Information - Office: Dosh Everett Service Location, Everett, Wa
Site Address:
Intalco Aluminum Corp
4050 Mt View Rd
Ferndale, WA 98248
Mailing Address:
Po Box 937, Ferndale, WA 98248
Union Status: Union
SIC:3334
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 09/23/1991
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 02/11/1992
Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
---|---|---|---|
Accident | 361037138 |
Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
Initial Penalty | $2,700 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,700 |
Current Penalty | $2,700 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2,700 |
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 | 0240002001 C | 10/09/1991 | 09/23/1991 | $1,350 | $1,350 | $0 | - | ||
2. | 01002A | Serious | 0240007302 | 10/09/1991 | 09/23/1991 | $1,350 | $1,350 | $0 | - | ||
3. | 01002B | Serious | 0240007302 | 10/09/1991 | 09/23/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
4. | 01002C | Serious | 0240007302 | 10/09/1991 | 09/23/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
An aluminum billet homogenizing furnace had been operating erratically for several days and would shut itself down. One evening the furnace shut down and Employee #1, a homogenizing handle, relit the furnace. Several minutes later, while he was in front of the furnace, it exploded. As a result of the explosion, the furnace door was blown free from its restraints. Employee #1 was struck and killed by the 3,860 lb door, which landed on top of him. The investigation revealed that the furnace fuel gas to burner #3 was adjusted rich, and that the burner went out. When this occurred, the flame sensor, which was oriented along the axis of the pilot light, still detected the flame from the burner pilot light and did not automatically shut the furnace burner system down. As a result, unburned fuel gas accumulated inside the furnace until it was ignited by one, or all, of the other three burners.
Keywords: FURNACE, PILOT LIGHT, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, EXPLOSION, STRUCK BY
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 111361499 | Fatality | Other | Occupation not reported |