Inspection Detail

Inspection: 18613984 - E-Z Lift, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Ky Labor Cabinet Division Of Osh Compliance

Investigation Summary

ON JULY 18, 1985, AT APPROXIMATELY 2 PM, A MAINTENANCE MECHANIC, HIS HELPER AND A CRANE OPERATOR WERE INSTALLING CATWALKS ON THE PRODUCT AND STORAGE TANKS IN THE TANK FARM. TANK 3A COULD NOT BE BLANKED WITH A METAL DISK, SO A PLASTIC DRUM LINER WAS PLACED OVER THE VENT AND OVERFLOW PIPE. THERE HAD BEEN SOME OXY-ACETYLENE CUTTING ON THE CATWALK IN THE VICINITY OF THE PLASTIC BAG OVER THE VENT AND OVERFLOW PIPE. SOMEHOW THE METHANYL VAPORS FROM TANK 3A WERE IGNITED. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE TANK, CAUSING THE ENTIRE TANK TO EXPLODE. THE CONCUSSION FROM THE EXPLOSION KILLED THE MAINTENANCE MECHANIC AND HELPER THAT WERE ON THE TANK CATWALK. THE CRANE OPERATOR DIED FROM BURNS RECEIVED FROM THE BURNING PHENOLIC RESIN THAT WAS BLOWN ONTO HIS BODY BY THE EXPLOSION.

Keywords: FLAMMABLE VAPORS, STORAGE TANK, EXPLOSION, CONCUSSION, TANK, BURN, WELDING