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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1543941.015 - Argo Chemical, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Bakersfield District Office
Site Address:
Argo Chemical, Inc.
30933 Imperial Street
Shafter, CA 93263
Mailing Address:
30933 Imperial Street, Shafter, CA 93263
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 424690/Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 12/21/2021
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/01/2022
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1777379 | ||
| Accident | 1833902 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $330 | $0 | $330 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $330 | $0 | $330 |
| 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 | Other | 5194(F)(1) | 12/21/2021 | 01/10/2022 | $330 | $330 | $0 | Z - Issued |
Investigation Summary
At 4:00 a.m. on June 2, 2021, Employee #1 was offloading bleach from a tanker to a storage well at a California Water Services site. The tanker, which held both bleach and hydrochloric acid (HCL), was mistakenly labeled as containing only bleach. After pumping bleach for several minutes, the employee noticed a change in the color of the gas vapor and began inhaling an unfamiliar and irritating vapor. Despite donning a respirator, the employee was overcome by the vapors, resulting in irritation of the eyes and lungs. The employee realized the tanker contained hydrochloric acid, which reacted with the bleach, creating the hazardous vapors. The employee was hospitalized for treatment.
Keywords: Bleach, Chemical, Chemical Exposure, Chemical Vapor, Eye, Flammable Vapors, Hydrochloric Acid, Inhalation, Lung, Overexposure, Respirator, Vapor
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1543941.015 | 32 | M | Hospitalized injury | Truck drivers, light |