Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300802295 - C & S Distributing

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At 4:28 p.m. on July 31, 2001, Employee #1 was removing a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank, "BLEVE" type, from C&S Distributing in Visalia, California. Prior to removing the tank, the level of LPG was not determined. The hoist attached at the rear of the service truck was utilized but failed. After the failure of the hoist, a forklift operated by another employee was used to pick up the LPG tank and place it in the back of a service truck. When the tank was placed in the back of the truck, the tank shifted, damaging one of the valves, and leading to a slow leak from the LPG tank. After the tank shifted, the forklift operator returned to place the tank in a correct position. It was at this time that the propane gas was accidentally ignited. The tank burned for approximately 12 minutes, and somewhere between 12 and 15 minutes the tank exploded. Employee #1 and another employee were transported to Kaweah Delta District Hospital. Employee #1 sustained multiple burns and was hospitalized. Employee #1 worked for C&S Distributing for approximately eight years and was employed in that line of work for the last five years.

Keywords: BURN, LEAK, WORK RULES, HOIST, EXPLOSION, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, SMOKE, VALVE, PROPANE, TANK