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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 310100706 - Membrane Technology & Research
Inspection Information - Office: Foster City District Office
Site Address:
Membrane Technology & Research
1360 Willow Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Mailing Address:
1360 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:3569
NAICS: 333999/All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 02/23/2012
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 12/22/2015
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101138295 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 6 | 2 | 8 | |||
| Current Violations | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $55,350 | $0 | $0 | $500 | $0 | $55,850 |
| Current Penalty | $33,075 | $0 | $0 | $500 | $0 | $33,575 |
| 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 | Other | 3203 A07 C | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $250 | $250 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 4649 D | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $250 | $250 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 02001 | Serious | 560 A03 | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $0 | $16,200 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
| 4. | 03001 | Serious | 3203 A04 | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $225 | $2,250 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 04001 | Serious | 3304 B | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $225 | $16,200 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 6. | 05001 | Serious | 4657 A07 | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $16,200 | $2,250 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 7. | 06001 | Serious | 3328 A | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $16,200 | $16,200 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 8. | 07001 | Serious | 4649 A | 02/24/2012 | 03/10/2012 | $225 | $2,250 | $0 | 03/05/2012 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On September 2, 2011, Employee #1 of Membrane Technology & Research filled up a Matheson 1F gas cylinder approximately 15 inches in diameter and 45 inches tall with 1% Butane, 2% Helium, 20% Nitrogen and 78% Methane. With this concentration, the cylinder's pressure was 700 to 800 psi. The maximum capacity allowable working pressure for this originally propane cylinder is 300 psi and the pressure relief valve would only release pressure at or above 3360 psi. At approximately 3:40 pm, Employee #1 proceeded to fill up this Matheson 1F gas cylinder with more Methane from a 1700 psi cylinder tank. The employer's goal was to increase the Methane concentration in the Matheson 1F to be at 90% Methane and at an approximate pressure greater than 1200 psi. The pressure relief valve did not release pressure above the maximum capacity of this cylinder. The Matheson 1F gas cylinder accumulated pressure to approximately 800 to 900 psi and it exploded to pieces due to over-pressurization. Employee #1 that was filling this tank was blown 15 feet away to the adjoining laboratory and suffered fatal injuries.
Keywords: CYLINDER, GAS, EXPLOSION, PRESSURE RELEASE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 310100706 | Fatality | Other | Physical scientists, n.e.c. |