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Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1616449.015 - Meeder Equipment Company
Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office
Site Address:
Meeder Equipment Company
12323 6th Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Mailing Address:
12323 6th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 423830/Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 02/17/2023
Emphasis:
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 1937105 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 11 | 1 | 1 | 13 | ||
| Current Violations | 11 | 1 | 1 | 13 | ||
| Initial Penalty | $181,800 | $90,000 | $0 | $450 | $0 | $272,250 |
| Current Penalty | $181,800 | $90,000 | $0 | $450 | $0 | $272,250 |
| 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 | 5157(F) | 02/17/2023 | 04/07/2023 | $450 | $450 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 2. | 02001 | Serious | 3657(B) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 3. | 03001 | Serious | 3659(A) | 02/17/2023 | 03/09/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 4. | 04001 | Serious | 5157(C)(4) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 5. | 05001 | Serious | 5157(D)(1) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 6. | 06001 | Serious | 5157(D)(3) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 7. | 07001 | Serious | 5157(D)(4) | 02/17/2023 | 03/09/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 8. | 08001 | Serious | 5157(D)(5) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 9. | 09001 | Serious | 5157(D)(6) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 10. | 10001 | Serious | 5157(E)(1) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 11. | 11001 | Serious | 5157(G)(1) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 12. | 12001 | Willful | 5157(K)(1) | 02/17/2023 | 03/15/2023 | $90,000 | $90,000 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested | |
| 13. | 13001 | Serious | 5157(K)(3)(A) | 02/17/2023 | 03/06/2023 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 04/20/2023 | C - Contested |
Investigation Summary
At 3:00 p.m. on August 18, 2022, an employee entered an empty liquid propane gas (LPG) tank for servicing at an industrial equipment wholesaler facility. Earlier in the day, the employee approached a supervisor and stated that he wanted to enter the tank to spray Torq CB III penetrating oil product on an internal valve to loosen it overnight so it could be worked on the next day. The supervisor told the employee to wait until the next morning when the tank could be vented. The employee entered the tank by using a manlift connected to a forklift and a ladder and was overcome by the vapor residue inside the tank. The employee was not wearing a respirator but had a blower nearby which was unused. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the supervisor began looking around the shop for the employee since it was closing time. The supervisor eventually found the employee slumped over and unresponsive inside near the entrance of the tank, and called 9-1-1 and also a coworker to come over to assist. The coworker entered the tank three times to attempt to rescue the employee but was unsuccessful. At 4:13 p.m., fire department personnel arrived onsite and used a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to enter the tank and remove the employee. The employee was killed by asphyxiation due to residual vapors and lack of oxygen inside of the LPG tank.
Keywords: Asphyxiated, Chemical Vapor, Confined Space, Enclosed Space, Loss of consciousness, Lost consciousness, Lpg Container, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Overcome by vapors, Pressure Vessel, Respirator, Tank, Unresponsive, Vapor, Venting, Vessel--Container
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1616449.015 | 62 | M | Fatality | Machinery maintenance occupations |