Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301338943 - Carbonics, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Houston North Area Office

Inspection Nr: 301338943

Report ID: 0626600

Date Opened: 04/23/1999

Site Address:
Carbonics, Inc.
5708 North Shepherd Apt. 2d
Houston, TX 77091

Mailing Address:
, , 00000

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:5169

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Health

Close Conference: 08/19/1999

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 12/22/1999

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	101760536

Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties	Serious	Willful	Repeat	Other	Unclass	Total
Initial Violations	5					5
Current Violations	5					5
Initial Penalty	$4,500	$0	$0	$0	$0	$4,500
Current Penalty	$3,300	$0	$0	$0	$0	$3,300
FTA Penalty	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Violation Items
#	Citation ID	Citaton Type	Standard Cited	Issuance Date	Abatement Due Date	Current Penalty	Initial Penalty	FTA Penalty	Latest Event
1.	01001A	Serious	5A0001	09/09/1999	10/12/1999	$900	$1,500	$0	I - Informal Settlement
2.	01001B	Serious	19101200 E01	09/09/1999	10/12/1999	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
3.	01002	Serious	19100022 D01	09/09/1999	09/26/1999	$600	$750	$0	I - Informal Settlement
4.	01003A	Serious	19100023 C01	09/09/1999	10/12/1999	$600	$750	$0	I - Informal Settlement
5.	01003B	Serious	19100023 C01	09/09/1999	10/12/1999	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
6.	01003C	Serious	19100023 E01	09/09/1999	09/20/1999	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
7.	01004	Serious	19100101 B	09/09/1999	10/12/1999	$600	$750	$0	I - Informal Settlement
8.	01005A	Serious	19100157 C01	09/09/1999	09/15/1999	$600	$750	$0	I - Informal Settlement
9.	01005B	Serious	19100157 G01	09/09/1999	10/12/1999	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 201760840

Event: 04/23/1999

One employee killed, two injured by carbon dioxide release

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on April 23, 1999, Employee #1 entered a facility to begin work. She walked through the office to the kitchen area and passed out on the floor. Employee #1 was overcome by carbon dioxide which had been leaking in the shop overnight from the 14-ton carbon dioxide pressure vessel used for filling cylinders. Employee #2 and Employee #3 entered the facility approximately 40 minutes later in an attempt to rescue her and succumbed to the carbon dioxide as well. Employees #1, #2, and #3 were taken to the hospital. Employee #1 never regained consciousness and died on April 26, 1999. Employee #2 and Employee #3 were treated and released.

Keywords: LEAK, ASPHYXIATED, OFFICE AREA, PRESSURE VESSEL, CARBON DIOXIDE

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	301338943	Fatality	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
2	301338943	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported
3	301338943	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Occupation not reported

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