Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1380237 - Mallory Farms

Inspection Information - Office: Little Rock Area Office

Inspection Nr: 1380237

Report ID: 0627100

Date Opened: 06/12/1985

Site Address:
Mallory Farms
1/2 Mile East Of Hwy Junction 50 & 79 On Hwy 50
Chatfield, AR 72323

Mailing Address:
Po Box A, Chatfield, AR 72323

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:0191

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 06/12/1985

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 06/12/1985

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	360643027

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 14496269

Event: 05/08/1985

PROPANE VAPORS EXPLODED, BURNING EMPLOYEE TO DEATH

EMPLOYEE #1 WENT TO PROCURE SOME LIQUID PROPANE WITH A PLASTIC BUCKET. HE INTENDED TO USE THE LIQUID PROPANE TO FREEZE SOME "SLEEVES" WHICH HE AND TWO OTHER EMPLOYEES WERE INSTALLING IN AN OLD TRACTOR'S ENGINE. THE PROPANE TANK WAS USED TO FILL TANKS ON FARM MACHINERY, AND WAS DESIGNED TO TRANSFER THE PROPANE AS A LIQUID. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACTUAL EXPLOSION, BUT ONE INDIVIDUAL OBSERVED EMPLOYEE #1 PRACTICALLY OBSCURED BY A PROPANE VAPOR CLOUD. A SHORT TIME LATER A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED, SHAKING SOME NEARBY SHOPS. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS SEVERELY BURNED, AND TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL. HE BEGAN A GRADUAL RECOVERY, THEN DIED SUDDENLY, 9 DAYS LATER, FROM "COMPLICATIONS". THE PRACTICE OF USING LIQUID PROPANE FOR NON-FUEL APPLICATIONS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PRACTICE ON MANY FARMS.

Keywords: BURN, MAINTENANCE, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, AGRICULTURE, WORK RULES, EXPLOSION, PROPANE

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1380237			Fatality	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported

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