Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1778040.015 - 67419 - Puryear Tank Lines Inc
Inspection Information - Office: Ky Labor Cabinet Division Of Osh Compliance
Site Address:
67419 - Puryear Tank Lines Inc
12002 Virginia Blvd.
Summitt, KY 41102
Mailing Address:
1421 East Williams St., Apex, NC 27502
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:4213
NAICS: 484230/ Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 03/14/2025
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 04/17/2025
Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
---|---|---|---|
Accident | 2215410 |
Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Violations | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
Current Violations | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
Initial Penalty | $29,000 | $0 | $0 | $10,800 | $0 | $39,800 |
Current Penalty | $29,000 | $0 | $0 | $10,800 | $0 | $39,800 |
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 | Serious | 19100110 B16 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100110 B17 V | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100157 G01 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
4. | 01004 | Serious | 19101200 E01 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
5. | 01005 | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
6. | 02001 | Other | 2.181(3)(4)(C) | 03/14/2025 | 03/18/2025 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
7. | 02002A | Other | 19040030 A | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $6,300 | $6,300 | $0 | Z - Issued | ||
8. | 02002B | Other | 19040032 B02 I | 03/14/2025 | 04/01/2025 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Z - Issued |
Investigation Summary
At 2:46 p.m. on September 16, 2024, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were conducting inspections and maintenance on a tanker trailer that had previously been used to transport propane. The tank was to be emptied using a process called flaring, in which the remaining gas in the tank is vented through a hose to a large tripod "flare" device. The top of the flare is then ignited to burn the gas, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere. The hose that connected directly to the tank was properly attached but was not connected to the flare, causing propane to discharge onto the ground near the employees. Employee #1 proceeded to go under the tank to grease the trailer with an electric-powered grease gun. It was suspected that the battery on the grease gun may have sparked, igniting the propane that had already filled the area, engulfing the employee in flames. Employee #2 pulled the employee from under the trailer to remove him from the area, which resulted in this employee also sustaining burns. Emergency responders were called and transported both employees to Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV. Employee #1 was transferred to the burn center at U of L Hospital in Louisville, KY on September 18, 2024, and died from his injuries at approximately 1:30 a.m. on September 23, 2024. Employee #2 remained in the hospital in Huntington and was released on September 23, 2024.
Keywords: Battery, Burn, Exploded, Explosion, Grease, Gun, Hose, Open Flame, Propane
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1778040.015 | 20 | M | Fatality | Occupation not reported |