Inspection Detail

Inspection: 14864615 - Chemetals Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEE #1, A SHAFT FURNACE OPERATOR, WAS ROASTING MANGANESE ORE IN AN INERT ATMOSPHERE OF METHANE AND NITROGEN. A "CLINKER" JAMMED UP THE 8 INCH DISCHARGE PIPE. THE EMPLOYEE REMOVED THE CAP FROM A 6 INCH NIPPLE TO CLEAN THE PIPE, BUT BREATHED THE METHANE AND NITROGEN GASES EMITTED FROM THE CHARGED SYSTEM. THE EMPLOYEE HAD RECEIVED 30 DAYS OF TRAINING, AND HAD WORKED AT THIS JOB FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE EMPLOYEE WAS FULLY RECOVERED AFTER 1 HOUR. CAUSAL FACTOR: EMPLOYEE FAILURE TO FOLLOW WRITTEN AND VERBAL ORDERS. HE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO SHUT OFF THE GASES BEFORE OPENING THE SEALED SYSTEM.

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, WORK RULES, CLEANING, INHALATION, NATURAL GAS, NITROGEN