Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310025994 - Charco Maintenance & Welding, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Jacksonville Area Office

Inspection Nr: 310025994

Report ID: 0419700

Date Opened: 06/06/2006

Site Address:
Charco Maintenance & Welding, Inc.
4940 Blackjack Plant Road
Jay, FL 32565

Mailing Address:
23531 Highway 31 North, Flomaton, AL 36441

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:7699

NAICS: 811310/Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Complete

Advanced Notice: Y

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 10/31/2006

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 11/09/2007

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	101355501

Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties	Serious	Willful	Repeat	Other	Unclass	Total
Initial Violations	4					4
Current Violations	3			1		4
Initial Penalty	$17,200	$0	$0	$0	$0	$17,200
Current Penalty	$10,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$10,000
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.	01001	Serious	5A0001	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$3,333	$4,900	$0	I - Informal Settlement
2.	01002	Other	19100120 Q03 IV	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$2,500	$0	I - Informal Settlement
3.	01003A	Serious	19100134 D01 I	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$3,334	$4,900	$0	I - Informal Settlement
4.	01003B	Serious	19100134 D01 III	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
5.	01003C	Other	19100134 H03 IB	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
6.	01003D	Serious	19101000 B02	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$0	$0	-
7.	01003E	Serious	19101000 E	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
8.	01004A	Serious	19100147 C04 II	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$3,333	$4,900	$0	I - Informal Settlement
9.	01004B	Serious	19100147 C05 I	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement
10.	01004C	Other	19100147 F02 I	11/30/2006	12/05/2006	$0	$0	$0	I - Informal Settlement

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 201353117

Event: 06/05/2006

Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure Causes One Employee Death

On June 5, 2006, Charco Maintenance & Welding was hired by the facility owner, Petro Operating Company, to do maintenance and repair work during a shut-down of the facility. The four-man crew was replacing some valves that were attached to a 10,000-gallon capacity surge tank. The surge tank contained saltwater that was mixed with hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons. The contents of the surge tank were lowered to a level below, where the valves were attached. Employees #1 and #3 climbed the fixed ladder of the tank to one of the elevated platforms to remove one of the valves. They used a MiniCheck hydrogen sulfide detector, which was manufactured by Del Mar Scientific that changes color when hydrogen sulfide is detected. They used the detector, when the valve was initially loose from its connection, but the detector did not indicate any hydrogen sulfide. During the removal of the valve, hydrogen sulfide was released into their immediate work area. It was estimated that the airborne concentration of hydrogen sulfide was approximately 500 parts per million. Employees #1 and #3 lost consciousness from the exposure. When Employee #3 regained consciousness, he climbed down from the platform. Employee #4 climbed the ladder to help Employee #1. He removed his SCBA mask to provide clean air to Employee #1, but was almost over come, and had to redon his mask. Employee #1 was lowered to the ground, but did not regain consciousness, and later died at the scene from his exposure. Employees #3 and #4 were not hospitalized for their exposure. Employee #2 was not exposed. It was determined that the employees had not been properly trained on the lock-out/tag-out program, handling the potential exposures to air contaminants, or rescue efforts.

Keywords: UNCONSCIOUSNESS, PPE, WORK RULES, UNTRAINED, MAINTENANCE, VAPOR, CONFINED SPACE, HYDROGEN SULFIDE, WELDER, LOCKOUT

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	310025994	Non Hospitalized injury	Poisoning(Systemic)	Laborers, except construction
2	310025994	Non Hospitalized injury	Poisoning(Systemic)	Laborers, except construction
3	310025994	Fatality	Poisoning(Systemic)	Laborers, except construction

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