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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 304575988 - Shin-Etsu Silicones Of America
Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office
Site Address:
Shin-Etsu Silicones Of America
5650 Hwy 332e
Freeport, TX 77541
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 03/11/2003
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/07/2003
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101930642 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Current Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $4,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4,500 |
| Current Penalty | $4,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4,500 |
| 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. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 04/04/2003 | 04/04/2003 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002A | Serious | 19100132 D01 I | 04/04/2003 | 04/09/2003 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01002B | Serious | 19100133 A01 | 04/04/2003 | 04/09/2003 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01003A | Serious | 19100023 C03 | 04/04/2003 | 04/09/2003 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01003B | Serious | 19100066 F05 IG | 04/04/2003 | 04/09/2003 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
Four employees were working for a chemical company. Employee #2 was inserting a brass wedge between a flange and the dryer of a vessel. As he was using a brass mallet to drive the wedge into place in the gap of the flange, the solid sodium sulfide layer broke and released 1 to 6 psig of nitrogen. The rapid depressurization of the vessel also blew sodium sulfide particles into the face and upper torso of Employee #2. He received first-degree chemical burns and corneal abrasions. Employees #3 and #4 were also exposed to the sodium sulfide particles. Employee #1 was struck in the head and received a laceration above his left ear and a skull fracture. All four employees were hospitalized for their injuries. None of the employees were wearing appropriate PPE.
Keywords: FRACTURE, CHEMICAL VESSEL, SKULL, CHEMICAL BURN, STRUCK BY, CHEMICAL VAPOR
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 304575988 | Hospitalized injury | Fracture | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 304575988 | Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 3 | 304575988 | Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 4 | 304575988 | Hospitalized injury | Burn(Chemical) | Occupation not reported |