Inspection Detail
Inspection: 111974382 - Unocal Chemicals Division
Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office
Site Address:
Unocal Chemicals Division
2601 E. Imperial
Brea, CA 92621
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2819
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 11/09/1990
Planning Guide: Safety-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 12/28/1990
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361304983 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 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 | 3310 A | 11/21/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 763 C | 11/21/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
At 1:00 a.m. on October 28, 1990, Employee #1 was checking the 400 lb steam vent pressure gauge below the steam vent pipe. The vent pipe opened, blowing out hot water that rained down on Employee #1. He suffered first- and second-degree burns over his entire back. He was transported by paramedics to St. Jude's Hospital in Fullerton, CA, where he was treated and released. The cause of the accident was the formation of steam condensate after shutdown of the boilers. The water was in the non-boiler piping in the down-leg section of the pipe that runs from the pipe rack to the control valve and back up to the vent pipe muffler. When the boiler was started, the condensate was heated and pushed by the steam in the line through the overhead/vertical pressure vent that acted as a muffler. To prevent a recurrence, the control box was relocated to a safe distance from the muffler area and the drain line was reconnected.
Keywords: BURN, STEAM, BACK, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, PRESSURE RELEASE, HIGH TEMPERATURE, HOT WATER
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111974382 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Miscellaneous plant and system operators |
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