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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 14964712 - City Of Artesia (Solid Waste Dept.)
Inspection Information - Office: State Of New Mexico Environment Department Occupational Health & Safety Bureau
Site Address:
City Of Artesia (Solid Waste Dept.)
2507 North Pecos Ave.
Artesia, NM 88210
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:4952
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: Y
Ownership: LocalGovt
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 12/02/1986
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/18/1987
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360766034 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Current Violations | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $1,320 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,320 |
| Current Penalty | $1,320 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,320 |
| 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. | 01001A | Serious | 90005 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/20/1987 | $400 | $400 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01001B | Serious | 90005 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/20/1987 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01001C | Serious | 90005 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/20/1987 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01001D | Serious | 90005 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/20/1987 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01002 | Serious | 90005 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/10/1987 | $160 | $160 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01003 | Serious | 90005 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/13/1987 | $200 | $200 | $0 | - | ||
| 7. | 01004 | Serious | 19100132 A | 02/06/1987 | 02/11/1987 | $400 | $400 | $0 | - | ||
| 8. | 01005A | Serious | 19100219 D01 | 02/06/1987 | 02/10/1987 | $160 | $160 | $0 | - | ||
| 9. | 01005B | Serious | 19100219 E03 I | 02/06/1987 | 02/10/1987 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
FOUR WORKMEN WERE TRYING TO FIND A LEAK IN A RECIRCULATING SEWAGE PUMP. THEY DECIDED TO REMOVE THE PRESSURE (INSPECTION) PLATE FROM THE PUMP. INSTRUCTIONS WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO TURN THE FOUR MAIN DIGESTER VALVES OFF, BUT TWO OF THE VALVES WERE LEFT OPEN. WHEN THE INSPECTION PLATE WAS REMOVED, A HUGE SPRAY OF DIGESTER FLUID (SLUDGE) ERUPTED. THE PUMP ROOM WAS QUICKLY FLOODED. THE DECISION TO EVACUATE MAY HAVE BEEN DELAYED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE VALVES. EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 EITHER DROWNED OR WERE KILLED BY TOXIC GASES EMITTED BY THE SLUDGE.
Keywords: CONFINED SPACE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, SHUT-OFF VALVE, DROWN, TOXIC FUMES, SEWAGE, SLUDGE, INATTENTION, PUMPING STATION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14964712 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Water and sewage treatment plant operators | ||
| 2 | 14964712 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Water and sewage treatment plant operators |