Inspection Detail

Inspection: 15254915 - Company B

Inspection Information - Office: Wyoming

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 ARE EMPLOYED AS METAL CRAFTSMEN IN A REFINERY. THEY WERE BURNED BY HOT WATER AND SLUDGE WHEN THEY REMOVED A BOTTOM PLATE FROM A LIME, HOT PROCESS WATER SOFTENER VESSEL. WATER, LIME, SODA ASH AND STEAM TO HEAT THE INCOMING WATER ARE FED INTO THE VESSEL. THIS FORMS A SLUDGE BLANKET IN THE VESSEL, WHICH CHEMICALLY REDUCES THE HARDNESS OF THE WATER. THIS PROCESSED WATER IS USED IN THE OIL REFINERY BOILERS. THE SLUDGE DRAIN VALVES WERE PLUGGED. THE TWO EMPLOYEES HAD TO "TAKE DOWN" THE VESSEL AND REMOVE THE BOTTOM PLATE TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE BLOCKAGE.

Keywords: HOT WATER TANK, STEAM, CLOGGED, VALVE, HOT WATER, BURN, MAINTENANCE, REFINERY, SLUDGE