Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1922103 - Nalco Chemical Company

Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office

Inspection Nr: 1922103

Report ID: 0625700

Date Opened: 04/23/1985

Site Address:
Nalco Chemical Company
Mile 126 River Rd
Norco, LA 70079

Mailing Address:
3501 Chateau Blvd, Kenner, LA 70065

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:2899

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Unprog Rel

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 04/23/1985

Planning Guide: Safety-Manufacturing

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 04/26/1985

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Referral	900664095	Yes

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 14392948

Event: 04/19/1985

GASOLINE VAPORS IGNITED BY WELDER; EMPLOYEES BURNED

ON APRIL 19, 1985, AT APPROXIMATELY 11 AM, EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 WERE REMOVING A SCREEN FROM THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE OF A PIPING SYSTEM. THE PIPING FLANGES WERE BROKEN ON THE DOWN SIDE OF A 4 INCH BLOCK VALVE THAT WAS NOT SEATING PROPERLY. WATER CAME RUSHING OUT OF THE BROKEN FLANGES, FOLLOWED BY LIQUID GASOLINE. THE GASOLINE VAPORS TRAVELLED APPROXIMATELY 225 FEET TO AN AREA WHERE EMPLOYEES #5-8 WERE WORKING, WITH WELDING EQUIPMENT IN OPERATION. THE WELDING EQUIPMENT IGNITED THE GASOLINE VAPORS, CAUSING A LARGE FIRE AT THE FIRST STAGE ACCUMULATOR STRUCTURE, WHERE EMPLOYEES #3 AND 4 WERE WORKING. EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #8 WERE BURNED.

Keywords: FLAMMABLE VAPORS, PIPE, GASOLINE, BURN, FIRE, CONSTRUCTION, WELDING

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1922103			Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Occupation not reported

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