Inspection Detail

Inspection: 2204238 - R B Hayward Company

Inspection Information - Office: Chicago North Area Office

Investigation Summary

A SHEET METAL CONTRACTOR WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK ON A VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE SCAFFOLD BEING USED BY THE CONTRACTOR'S EMPLOYEES COLLAPSED. NO EMPLOYEES WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE COLLAPSE, BUT THE FALLING SCAFFOLD STRUCK A KNIFE SWITCH, TURNING OFF POWER TO A FAN MOTOR. THIS TURNED OFF THE SCRUBBER WHICH COLLECTS FUMES FROM A SULFURIC ACID ETCH BATH USED FOR CLEANING PARTS. SULFURIC ACID FUMES WERE THEREFORE NOT EXHAUSTED FROM THE BUILDING, BUT COLLECTED IN THE EMPLOYEE WORK AREAS. NINE OF THE EMPLOYEES WERE TREATED FOR EXPOSUERE TO SULFURIC ACID FUMES AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. SYMPTONS INCLUDED THROAT IRRITATION, COUGHING, HEADACHE, DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING AND EYE IRRITATION.

Keywords: INHALATION, TOXIC FUMES, SULFURIC ACID, EYE, THROAT, VENTILATION, HEADACHE, COUGH