Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120178488 - Hunt-Wesson Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 1995, a 1,500 gallon paste tank was being removed by a crane from its supports/framework on the north side of a plant. The framework was approximately 7 ft high at the point of attachment. The tank had been drained and all piping, valves, and electrical attachments had been removed. A 30 gal tank that contained sodium hydroxide and water (3 to 4 percent solution) for cleaning the paste tank was normally attached to it by pipeline, and was surrounded by several pipes, including three unlabeled 3/4 in. to 1 in. diameter pipes containing either water, air, or caustic (sodium hydroxide). As the tank was being lifted, the bolts from an indicator gauge flange became caught on the piping. A coworker on a catwalk/platform pushed on the pipe to clear the bolts, without success. When another coworker climbed a ladder to push on the elevated pipes (7 to 8 ft off the ground) a pipe broke, spraying sodium hydroxide onto Employee #1, who was standing 10 ft to the north of the pipe. He was taken to an emergency eyewash and shower while a plant vehicle was called. After 8 to 10 minutes, Employee #1 was taken to a medical clinic in Davis, then to an eye specialist in Woodland. No protective eyewear was worn by any employee at the time of the accident.

Keywords: EYE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PPE, WORK RULES, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, CHEMICAL BURN, PIPE