Inspection Detail

Inspection: 2272953 - Glow Plastics Corp.

Inspection Information - Office: Hasbrouck Heights Area Office

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEES #1 AND #21 WERE ASSIGNED THE JOB OF TENDING A 100 GALLON (WATER JACKET) REACTOR KETTLE OF METHYL METHACRYLATE IN THE MIXING ROOM. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS STANDING BETWEEN KETTLE #1 AND KETTLE #2, PREPARING TO CHECK THE VISCOSITY OF THE LIQUID PRODUCT. EMPLOYEE #2 WAS STANDING 5 FEET SOUTH OF EMPLOYEE #1, ASKING HIM HOW THE BATCH WAS PROGRESSING. EMPLOYEE #1 USED A METAL WRENCH (VISEGRIPS) TO PRY OPEN THE COVER OF KETTLE #1. THE WRENCH HANDLE STRUCK THE ANGLE IRON SUPPORT FOR THE AGITATOR MOTOR, PRODUCING A SPARK. EMPLOYEE #2 NOTICED THE SPARK, WHICH WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A MASSIVE "FIRE BALL". EMPLOYEE #1 AND #2 WERE ENGULFED IN THE FIREBALL. EMPLOYEE #3 CAME TO THE AREA OF KETTLE #1 TO ASSIST THE OTHER EMPLOYEES AND ALSO RECEIVED INJURIES. ALL THREE EMPLOYEES RECIEVED FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON THEIR FACE, ARMS AND ABDOMEN. EMPLOYEE #2 ALSO RECEIVED SOME THIRD DEGREE BURNS. NO BONDING OR GROUNDING WAS USED FOR THE TRANSFER OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS; NOR WERE NON-SPARKING TOOLS PROVIDED.

Keywords: BURN, ABDOMEN, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, SPARK, ARM, FACE, CHEMICAL