Inspection Detail

Inspection: 119760510 - Sunsweet Growers Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Redding District Office

Investigation Summary

At 6:45 p.m. on August 28, 1995, Employee #1 was on a catwalk approximately 15 ft above floor level, working in the area of the prune juice prep line. A mist containing approximately 0.3 percent sodium hydroxide was created because a piping system was not completely hooked up prior to forcing a caustic cleaning solution though the system. The solution ran out of the disconnected pipe end and dripped into an operating floor fan. Droplets of the solution were propelled from the fan into the face of Employee #1, who was standing 5 to 15 ft from the fan. He inhaled some of the mist and soon began to experience breathing problems. He contacted his wife, who picked him up at work and took him to Rideout Hospital, Marysville. Employee #1 was away from work for approximately one month and as of October 13, 1995, was still suffering effects of the inhalation. The employer processes dry fruits and manufactures fruit juices. Employee #1 was not involved in the cause of the accident.

Keywords: RESPIRATORY, LUNG, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CAUSTIC, WORK RULES, INHALATION, CLEANING FLUID, TOXIC FUMES