Inspection Detail

Inspection: 2813418 - Allied/Bendix Aerospace

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

THE WORKERS IN THIS AREA PERFORMED SOLDERING ASSEMBLY AND PRODUCTION WORK ON ELECTRONICS PARTS. THE PARTS ARE PLACED INTO THE DEGREASER AFTER SOLDERING TO CLEAN OFF THE FLUX. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY THE DEGREASING TANK CONTAINED RESIDUAL 1,1,1 TRICHLOROETHANE. THE FLUX CAUGHT FIRE, RELEASING SMOKE AND VAPOR INTO THE ROOM. ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE FIRE HAD BEEN EXTINGUISHED THE EMPLOYEES BEGAN COMPLAINING OF BURNING EYES, SORE THROATS AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. MOST OF THEM WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION. THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY EITHER A DROP IN FLUID LEVEL, WHICH ALLOWED THE THERMOSTAT TO OVERHEAT AND IGNITE THE FIRE, OR A FAILURE TO TURN OFF THE HEATING ELEMENT WHEN THE DEGREASER WAS NOT IN USE.

Keywords: EYE, RESPIRATORY, THROAT, TRICHLOROETHANE, FIRE, DEGREASER, SMOKE, TOXIC FUMES