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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 310259437 - Dow Chemical Co.
Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office
Site Address:
Dow Chemical Co.
2301 N. Brazosport Blvd
Freeport, TX 77541
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: Union
SIC:2869
NAICS: 325188/All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 04/30/2007
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/03/2008
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101932176 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,000 |
| Current Penalty | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,000 |
| 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. | 01001A | Serious | 19100119 F01 IB | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R - Review Commission | Citation has been deleted. |
| 2. | 01001B | Serious | 19100119 F04 | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R - Review Commission | |
| 3. | 01002A | Serious | 19100119 D03 II | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R - Review Commission | Citation has been deleted. |
| 4. | 01002B | Serious | 19100119 J06 II | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R - Review Commission |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on November 15, 2006, Employee #1 was a process operator at the Chlorine Liquefaction Unit, Block A-19, at the Dow Chemical Company. He was preparing to bleed off chlorine on a process line, to clear the line for maintenance work. The valve handle indicated that it was in a closed position. Employee #1 opened the cap to the bleed valve to insert a tube to clear the chlorine. However, the bleed valve was not completely closed, and the pressure on the chlorine line caused the cap to blow off, releasing chlorine. Employee #1 was exposed to the inhalation hazard of chlorine gas when his airline became caught on a nearby pipe and his mask was pulled away. He continued to work until his shift was over. He went to a coworker's home after leaving the plant because he was too tired to go home. Employee #1 was hospitalized approximately one hour later. He was pronounced dead at 10:00 a.m. on November 16, 2006.
Keywords: MAINTENANCE, AIR LINE RESPIRATOR, ASPHYXIATED, INHALATION, CHLORINE, HIGH PRESSURE, VALVE, POISONING, CHEMICAL
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 310259437 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Chemical technicians |