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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 311068761 - Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: High Hazard Unit - Central
Site Address:
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
31470 Avenue 12
Madera, CA 93638
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 325193/Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 04/09/2008
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/13/2009
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 101486546 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $36,450 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $36,450 |
| Current Penalty | $14,400 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $14,400 |
| 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 | Serious | 3314 C | 04/09/2008 | 04/19/2008 | $14,400 | $21,600 | $0 | 04/15/2008 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 02001 | Serious | 3314 G | 04/09/2008 | 04/19/2008 | $0 | $14,850 | $0 | 04/15/2008 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 10:21 a.m. on November 16, 2007, Employee #1 was pressure washing trays located inside the beer column located at the corner of the plant. The beer column is considered a confined space and two attendants and a safety coordinator were near the beer column at the time of the accident. While Employee #1 was inside of the beer column, the boilers remained operational and maintained steam pressure in the system at approximately 100 psi. The manual steam blocker valve was not in the closed position and steam bypassed the manual steam blocker valve and the steam control valve. The steam heated the water in the beer feed preheater, causing boiling water to travel through the beer feed line into the beer column. Employee #1 was inside the beer column and sustained burns to his face, bilateral upper extremities, and back. Employee #1 was hospitalized.
Keywords: BURN, CONFINED SPACE, BOILER, TORSO, STEAM, BACK, VALVE, FACE, HOT WATER
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 311068761 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Managers and administrators, n.e.c |