Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1492143.015 - Copper Harbor Company, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office

Investigation Summary

At 5:06 p.m. on August 24, 2020, an employee who had been performing routine duties for a chemical blending and packaging company died from cardiac arrest potentially complicated by exposure to chemicals and wildfire particulates. On August 19, 2020, the employee spent the morning mixing water-based Glaze 'N Seal products in Building D. He was then assigned to operate a forklift in Building B to assist in packaging powdered oxalic acid dihydrate. Excess powder was blown off with a compressed air hose. At 4:00 p.m. on that day, the employee had an asthma attack and was transported to the hospital. At some point, the employee had a heart attack and on August 24, 2020, the employee died. Further investigation revealed three possible factors contributing this his death. The employee was potentially exposed to chemicals on the job, the employee was potentially exposure to wildfire smoke, and the employee was exposed to heat. Heat was eventually ruled out as a factor. Coworkers worked within a semi-enclosed area in Building B with several respiratory irritants and exhaust from the area was vented into Building B. Also, according to AirNow.gov, on August 19, 2020, due to two lightning complex fires that were burning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranged from 128 to 170, Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) to Red (Unhealthy), between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At this time, the large doors on both buildings were open to the outside and the employee was operating the forklift indoors and outdoors. No autopsy was performed, and the causes of death listed on the death certificate were: (1) Cardiac Arrest; Brain Death-Ventricular Fibrillation; and (3) Other Significant Conditions: Asthma with unspecified acute exacerbation. It is likely that exposure to respiratory irritants at the worksite triggered the employee's asthma based upon findings of the onsite investigation. The employee was not wearing a respirator and was only wearing a face covering due to COVID-19.

Keywords: Cardiac Arrest, Cardiovasc Disease, Cardiovasc System, Chemical, Chemical Exposure, Compressed Air, Corrosive, Dust, Engineering Controls, Equipment Operator, Forklift, Heart, Heart Attack, Inhalation, Lack of Engineering Controls, Lack of Work Procedures, Lung, Material Handling, Medical Condition, Medical History, Respirator, Respiratory, Respiratory Tract, Smoke, Underlying Medical Condition, Weather