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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 115662645 - Carmet Company
Inspection Information - Office: Sc Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation
Site Address:
Carmet Company
One Tungsten Way
Duncan, SC 29334
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:3545
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 08/16/1991
Planning Guide: Health-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/10/1992
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360496509 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Current Violations | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $1,400 | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,400 |
| Current Penalty | $700 | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,700 |
| 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 | 19100094 D09 VII | 09/05/1991 | 09/10/1991 | $300 | $600 | $0 | F - Formal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002A | Serious | 19101000 A03 | 09/05/1991 | 10/09/1991 | $400 | $800 | $0 | F - Formal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01002B | Serious | 19101000 F02 I | 09/05/1991 | 10/09/1991 | $0 | $0 | $0 | F - Formal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 02001 | Willful | 10012 A | 09/05/1991 | 10/09/1991 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | 09/20/1991 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Employee was removing a load from a 26 in. diameter hot isostatic press (HIP) pressure vessel with a 9 ft space from the opening to the heat pedestal at the bottom, when graphite spacers fell from the graphite plates that held the tungsten metal parts to the bottom of the HIP vessel. Because the next load would not fit with the spacers in the bottom, Employee #1 was sent down to get them. He was retrieving the second spacer when he was overcome by argon gas. The HIP pressure vessel is used to cure tungsten steel at a temperature of 1,360 degrees C and a pressure of 15,000 psi, using argon gas. The vessel atmosphere had not been tested or ventilated prior to entry; employees had no training; and no rescue procedures with lifelines and respiratory equipment were available. Employee #1 died of asphyxia.
Keywords: ASPHYXIATED, VENTILATION, PRESSURE VESSEL, WORK RULES, INHALATION, GAS, OVEREXPOSURE, ARGON
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 115662645 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Furnace, kiln and oven operators |