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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1458001.015 - Watson Grinding And Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Houston North Area Office
Site Address:
Watson Grinding And Manufacturing Company, Inc.
4525 Gessner Drive
Houston, TX 77041
Mailing Address:
4525 Gessner Rd., Houston, TX 77041
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 332710/Machine Shops
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 07/20/2020
Emphasis: N:Svep
Case Closed: 10/01/2021
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1537375 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $8,675 | $134,937 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $143,612 |
| Current Penalty | $17,350 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $17,350 |
| 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 | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 07/21/2020 | 08/14/2020 | $8,675 | $8,675 | $0 | 08/07/2020 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 02001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 07/21/2020 | 09/04/2020 | $8,675 | $134,937 | $0 | 08/07/2020 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Around 4:20 a.m. on January 24, 2020, Employee #1 had arrived at the worksite to begin work in the coating shop and sent a text message stating that he could smell and hear a propylene gas leak. The supervisor sent out a text to the crew stating "don't fire up the gun. Gas leak." A coworker responded "Call 911." Shortly after, an explosion occurred at or in the coating shop. Employee #1 and Employee #2 were killed in the explosion and fire. Propylene gas, used at the facility in the high velocity oxygen fuel coating process, was believed to have leaked, accumulating and finding an unknown source of ignition, resulting in the explosion. Two other employees, Employee #3 and Employee #4, were non-fatally injured by debris from the explosion.
Keywords: Coating Operation, Explosion, Fire, Gas, Gas Leak, Leak, Propylene
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1458001.015 | 44 | M | Fatality | Occupation Not Listed | |
| 2 | 1458001.015 | 45 | M | Fatality | Occupation Not Listed |