Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126631407 - United Airlines

Inspection Information - Office: Va-E-Manassas (Regional Office)- Safety 0355114

Inspection Nr: 126631407

Report ID: 0355114

Date Opened: 05/02/1996

Site Address:
United Airlines
North Service Rd. Maint. Bldg. Dulles Int. Airport
Chantilly, VA 22021

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 20200, Washington, DC 20041

Union Status: Union

SIC:4729

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 05/04/1996

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 07/01/1996

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	362309916

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 898551

Event: 05/02/1996

Employee dies of asphyxia while using mek to repair tank

At approximately 2:15 a.m. on May 2, 1996, Employee #1 and several coworkers were repairing a fuel leak in the wing of aircraft #6556. Employee #1 was using methyl ethyl ketone, a scraper, and a hand-held vacuum to remove old sealant. He was later found unconscious by a coworker in the drybay section of the right main tank in the interior of the aircraft wing. Coworkers tried to remove the employee from the wing but were unsuccessful. The fire department arrived and also tried to remove him without success. After several attempts, they finally retrieved Employee #1, and the paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him. The employee, who was wearing a half mask respirator with organic chemical cartridges, was working in a confined space without an adequate supply of fresh air.

Keywords: AIRCRAFT, MEK, REPAIR, CONFINED SPACE, PPE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, AIR CONTAMINATION, TOXIC FUMES, RESPIRATOR

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	126631407			Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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