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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 120118351 - Ram Air Engineering
Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office
Site Address:
Ram Air Engineering
3855 Lakewood Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90746
Mailing Address:
1127 S Placentia Ave, Fullerton, CA 92631
Union Status: Union
SIC:1711
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 07/20/1994
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 07/19/1995
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 362022345 | ||
| Accident | 362022360 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Current Violations | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $690 | $0 | $690 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $690 | $0 | $690 |
| 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 | 3203 A | 07/20/1994 | 08/24/1994 | $165 | $165 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 3220 B | 07/20/1994 | 08/22/1994 | $110 | $110 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Other | 5194 E01 | 07/20/1994 | 08/22/1994 | $165 | $165 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Other | 5194 H02 F | 07/20/1994 | 08/06/1994 | $250 | $250 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
While working in Building 35 on a Trane Centrovac water chiller, which contains 1800 pounds of Freon-11, Employee #1 found a leak in the equalizer line. This line was located under the chiller on the end opposite the control panel, in this case the north end. The system was normally under vacuum, but was pressurized with hot water to 7 psi pressure to find leaks. Employee #1 went under the chiller and cut the copper equalizer line with a pair of cutters. Employee #1 had not depressurized the system before cutting the line, and the Freon was released into his breathing zone. Freon is heavier than air and collected on the floor with him. The area under the chiller was not a permitted confined space. Employee #1 could not get out from under the chiller before being overcome. Two valves were required to be open to depressurize the system. The mechanical valve was opened, but the electronic valve was found to still be closed. The electronic valve allowed cold water to enter the system and stop the vaporization of Freon. The coroner's report lists the primary cause of death as arteriosclerosis, with the Freon exposure as a contributing factor.
Keywords: LUNG, ASPHYXIATED, REPAIR, AIR CONDITIONER, FREON
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120118351 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Heating, air conditioning, and refrig. mechanics |