Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300827185 - American Fruit Processor

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on May 3, 2004, Employee #1, a new employee, was performing an assigned task of koshering a tank in the attempt to prepare it for the production of juice. The process of koshering a tank is an additional step beyond the normal cleaning of the tanks. During the koshering process, water at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, is pumped into the tank. The water is pumped from a pump, through food grade flexible hose and then up a vertical pipe on the inlet side of the tank. The water flows through spray balls within the tanks and sprays the interior of the tank. The tank is drained and the hose connection to the inlet side of the tank is opened a small amount to allow the water within the vertical column to drain in a controlled manner to the floor. When the water has drained from the inlet column, the hose is fully disconnected. Employee #1 had been shown how to kosher a tank and had successfully cleaned the first of two identical tanks. He had completed the koshering of tank T-1 and was in the process of releasing the hose. As he opened the hose connection, an uncontrolled release of hot water from the inlet column scalded him, causing thermal burns to his right leg. He was taken to the hospital, treated and released. He was later readmitted to the burn unit for surgery because his wound was not healing properly.

Keywords: BURN, CLEANING, HOSE, INEXPERIENCE, TANK, HOT WATER, LEG