Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309909646 - Irwin Industries

Inspection Information - Office: Labor Enforcement Task Force (Letf) Unit - Central

Investigation Summary

At 8:00 a.m. on May 27, 2008, Employee #1 and a coworker were climbing a ladder on the sulfur recovery unit contactor column while working a turnaround in a crude oil gas processing plant. They were taking tools and equipment to the column's fourth deck catwalk, 60 feet above the ground, in preparation to remove every other bolt on the column manway for planned maintenance. At 9:00 a.m., Employee #1 appeared restless and uncomfortable and collapsed while on the fourth deck. His coworker called emergency medical services. Another coworker (with a personal hydrogen sulfide monitor) entered the area, climbed to the fourth deck, and administered CPR. The hydrogen sulfide level was nondetectable. The fire department was called at 9:07 a.m. and arrived on-scene at 9:27a.m. Employee #1 was moved to ground level from the fourth deck catwalk and was transported to the morgue. The coroner reported that Employee #1 died from hypertensive coronary artery disease. The incident was determined to be nonwork related.

Keywords: CARDIOVASC SYSTEM, HEART, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, LADDER, CONSTRUCTION, MANUAL MAT HANDLING, ELEVATED WORK PLAT, CIRCULATORY BLOCKAGE