Inspection Detail

Inspection: 2399343 - Operators, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: State Of New Mexico Environment Department Occupational Health & Safety Bureau

Inspection Nr: 2399343

Report ID: 0653510

Date Opened: 01/15/1988

Site Address:
Operators, Inc.
T 30 N, R 10 W, Sec. 27 - Bonnie Rock
Farmington, NM 87401

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 3948, Englewood, CO 80111

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:1311

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: Y

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 01/21/1988

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 04/07/1988

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	360248181

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 14301717

Event: 01/14/1988

EMPLOYEE KILLED WHEN PIECE OF EXPLODING CONTAINER HIT HIM

EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WORKING ALONE, ATTEMPTING TO THAW A FROZEN GAS FLOWLINE BY INJECTING LIQUID METHANOL INTO THE LINE. A JOB MADE CONTAINER OF APPROXIMATELY 8 GALLONS WAS PLACED ON A STAND IN FRONT OF THE WELLHEAD AND CONNECTED BY COPPER TUBING TO THE FLOWLINE. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS STANDING APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CONTAINER. PRESUMABLY, HE WAS ADJUSTING THE VALVES WHEN THE END OF THE CONTAINER BLEW OFF AND STRUCK HIM IN THE HEAD. THE TOP PART OF HIS HEAD WAS SEVERED. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS NOT WEARING A PROTECTIVE HELMET. THE CONTAINER WHICH RUPTURED WAS NOT DESIGNED OR CONSTRUCTED FOR PRESSURIZATION.

Keywords: HEAD, METHYL ALCOHOL, GAS WELL, WORK RULES, RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, HIGH PRESSURE, STRUCK BY, FLYING OBJECT, FROZEN

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	2399343			Fatality	Cut/Laceration	Occupation not reported

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