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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 311059844 - Sf-Dpw-Asphalt Plant
Inspection Information - Office: San Francisco District Office
Site Address:
Sf-Dpw-Asphalt Plant
1801 Jerrold Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: Union
SIC:9631
NAICS: 926130/ Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: LocalGovt
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 01/15/2009
Planning Guide: Safety-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/07/2009
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 362191199 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Current Violations | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $970 | $0 | $970 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $970 | $0 | $970 |
| 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 | 461 A | 01/16/2009 | 02/18/2009 | $300 | $300 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 5194 H02 E | 01/16/2009 | 02/18/2009 | $335 | $335 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Other | 3228 B | 01/16/2009 | 02/18/2009 | $335 | $335 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
On August 18, 2008, Employees #1, #2, and #3, the asphalt finisher, dryer-mixer operator, and an operating engineer, started unclogging the asphalt drop chute that fed a 65-ft slat conveyor. The slat conveyor was manufactured by the Gencor Industries, Incorporated and was clogged during the late morning hours. Employees #1, #2, and #3 were spraying diesel on the hardened asphalt and scraping it with a metal scraper. At approximately 11:45 a.m. the drop chute was cleared. By the time the second batch of asphalt mixer was deposited into the drop chute, Employees #1, #2, and #3 heard a loud explosion and the plywood panels, along with their metal straps, were blown off and scattered around the plant yard. Employees #1, #2, #3, and a plant supervisor complained about ringing in their ears and hearing problem due to the blast. The following day, Employees #1, #2, #3, and the plant supervisor went to San Francisco General Hospital for hearing tests. The preliminary tests showed that Employees #1, #2, #3 experienced changes in their hearing thresholds. They were recommended to see a specialist. The suspected cause of the explosion was presence of a source of ignition of an unknown origin in a flammable atmosphere, created by the vaporized heated diesel. The manufacturer's manual warns against using combustible release agent. However, employer was using diesel, Fl.Pt.146 F, as the release agent and a cleanup fluid because of its effectiveness.
Keywords: FLAMMABLE VAPORS, EAR, CLOGGED, EXPLOSION, HEARING LOSS, CONVEYOR, NOISE, CLEANING FLUID, METAL STRIP, ASPHALT
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 311059844 | Non Hospitalized injury | Hearing Loss | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 311059844 | Non Hospitalized injury | Hearing Loss | Occupation not reported | ||
| 3 | 311059844 | Non Hospitalized injury | Hearing Loss | Occupation not reported |