Inspection Detail

Inspection: 123412819 - Rolling Plains Well Service

Inspection Information - Office: Lubbock Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was performing a hot-oiler operation on a tank system to remove paraffin. He parked his hot-oiler vehicle with the fuel box directly downwind from and within 17 feet of the open-hatch tank. It is believed that this allowed vapors from the battery tank/hot oiler to enter the hot oiler fire box and cause an explosion. The fire engulfed Employee #1. He was flown to Lubbock Burn Center (University Medical Center) where he died almost 30 days later from infections.

Keywords: BURN, VAPOR, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, FIRE, EXPLOSION, OIL WELL SERVICING, TANK