Inspection Detail

Inspection: 17403023 - Liquid Air Engineering Corp.

Inspection Information - Office: Savannah Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was instructed to enter an oxygen-deprived, newly constructed 1,562-cubic-foot air-drier vessel to level out a one-half-inch-diameter activated aluminum material that was dumped inside. The material was used as a desiccant to remove moisture. Two days prior to entry, the vessel had undergone a pressure test using nitrogen gas. However, they did not completely evacuate the gas. Approximately ten minutes after entry, voice contact was lost between the employee inside and others outside. Employee #2 then entered the vessel and died from asphyxia. Employee #3 also passed out after entering the vessel, but he was able to survive after a supervisor placed an air hose inside the vessel. Employee #3 along with the help of Employee #4, who wore a self-contained breathing apparatus, removed the first two from the vessel.

Keywords: OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, ASPHYXIATED, SCBA, TANK, CONFINED SPACE