Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301182549 - White'S Marine Painting

Inspection Information - Office: Washington Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, a painter with more than 20 years of experience and the owner of a sole proprietorship, sprayed a crab hold on a fishing vessel with between 3 and 5 gallons of acetone to settle the sandblasting dust and to dry the surface before painting. He then used a fan without a duct to blow air into the manhole opening in the hatch for an hour before entering the space. When Employee #1 turned on the shop vac, the acetone vapors in the space ignited, resulting in a fire and explosion that blew the hatch cover off the hold. He sustained third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body, and his polyester coveralls were burned off. Employee #1 was transported to the hospital, where he died the following day.

Keywords: FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, ACETONE, EXPLOSION, BURN, VAPOR, VENTILATION, FIRE, SPRAY PAINTING, SHIP