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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 123467573 - Georgia Gulf Corp.
Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office
Site Address:
Georgia Gulf Corp.
26100 Hwy. 405
Plaquemine, LA 70764
Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 105197, Plaquemine, LA 70765
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Unprog Rel
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 03/05/1997
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/01/1997
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360333561 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Current Violations | 7 | 7 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $103,000 | $103,000 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $103,000 | $103,000 |
| 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 | Unclass | 19100038 A02 III | 03/21/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Unclass | 19100119 F01 ID | 03/21/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Unclass | 19100119 F04 | 03/21/1997 | 03/26/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01004 | Unclass | 19100119 H02 II | 03/21/1997 | 03/26/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01005 | Unclass | 19100119 L02 III | 03/21/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01006 | Unclass | 19100120 Q02 XI | 03/21/1997 | 05/01/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 7. | 01007 | Unclass | 19101200 E02 | 03/21/1997 | 03/26/1997 | $103,000 | $103,000 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 4:00 p.m. on September 24, 1996, Employees #1 through #3 were hydroblasting a series of 1 in. diameter E-201 finned fan tubes located in the vinyl chloride monomer unit of a Georgia Gulf plaquemine plant. This was done by inserting a wand that fired water at 10,000 psi into the tubes; the water removed deposits of sludge. Employees #4 through #7 were working in close proximity to this operation. At approximately 7:00 p.m., Employee #1 left the plant, and at 1:15 a.m. on September 25, 1996, he began to experience symptoms of exposure to mustard agents. On September 27, 1996, Employees #1 through #4 were admitted to the Baton Rouge Burn Unit, where a chemical analysis revealed that the substance responsible was tris-2-chloroethylamine. Employees #5 through #8 also suffered symptoms of exposure, but were not hospitalized. It was later learned that this mustard agent was in the finned fan tubes prior to their being cleaned. A total of 148 workers--most of them involved in a scheduled turnaround at the vinyl chloride monomer unit--were exposed to this agent. Injuries ranged from second-degree burns that required hospitalization to cold-like upper respiratory problems that failed to respond to symptomatic treatment.
Keywords: RESPIRATORY, CLEANING, AIR CONTAMINATION, CHEMICAL, INHALATION, CHEMICAL BURN, OVEREXPOSURE, CAUSTIC, CHEMICAL REACTION, CHEMICAL VAPOR
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123467573 | Non Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Miscellaneous plant and system operators |