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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 301765848 - Kings Laboratory Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Sc Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation
Site Address:
Kings Laboratory Inc.
424 Blythwood Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
Mailing Address:
424 Blythwood Road, Blythwood, SC 29016
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 10/26/1998
Planning Guide: Health-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/10/1999
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 362625832 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $3,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,000 |
| Current Penalty | $800 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $800 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 03001 | Serious | 10012 A | 10/28/1998 | 11/30/1998 | $400 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 03002 | Serious | 10012 A | 10/28/1998 | 11/30/1998 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 3. | 03003 | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 10/28/1998 | 11/30/1998 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 4. | 03004A | Serious | 10012 A | 10/28/1998 | 11/30/1998 | $400 | $0 | $0 | Q - National Office Adjustment | ||
| 5. | 03004B | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 10/28/1998 | 11/30/1998 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Employee #1, the operator of a chemical process reactor, was experiencing difficulties with the agitator in a reactor in which a batch of a chemical lachrymator, 2-nitrobenzyl bromide, was being processed. Employee #1 was told to move the mixture to a 55-gallon drum while repairs were being made to the reactor's agitator motor. When the repairs were completed, the process was moved back to the reactor and the reaction restarted. Heat was applied using a steam jacket, but Employee #1 noticed vapors escaping from the flanges. He tightened the flanges down, but vapors kept escaping, so he tried to cool the reaction by removing the steam from the jacket and filling it with water. He repeated this procedure but noticed that the temperature was continuing to go up. He was just leaving to find the maintenance person when the reactor exploded. Employee #1 sustained injuries that required hospitalization.
Keywords: REACTOR, PRESSURE VESSEL, EXPLOSION, CHEMICAL REACTION, HIGH PRESSURE, PRESSURE RELEASE, HIGH TEMPERATURE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301765848 | Hospitalized injury | Hearing Loss | Mixing and blending machine operators |