Inspection Detail
Inspection: 312156482 - Roberto Clemente Vargas Dba Rcs Company
Inspection Information - Office: Corpus Christi Area Office
Site Address:
Roberto Clemente Vargas Dba Rcs Company
1421 Mobil Rd
Vanderbilt, TX 77991
Mailing Address:
Po Box 10970, Midland, TX 79702
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1795
NAICS: 238910/Site Preparation Contractors
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 07/01/2008
Emphasis: S:Commercial Constr, S:Powered Ind Vehicle
Case Closed: 10/01/2010
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 100213222 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Current Violations | 4 | 4 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $3,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,900 |
| Current Penalty | $1,950 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,950 |
| 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 | 19100178 L06 | 11/26/2008 | 01/08/2009 | $225 | $450 | $0 | 12/23/2008 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19260095 A | 11/26/2008 | 12/05/2008 | $750 | $1,500 | $0 | 12/23/2008 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19260150 A01 | 11/26/2008 | 12/16/2008 | $225 | $450 | $0 | 12/23/2008 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01004A | Serious | 19260352 I | 11/26/2008 | 12/05/2008 | $750 | $1,500 | $0 | 12/23/2008 | F - Formal Settlement | |
| 5. | 01004B | Serious | 19260850 E | 11/26/2008 | 12/05/2008 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 12/23/2008 | F - Formal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On June 26, 2008, Employee #1, #2, and #3, a sub-contracted crew of welders, were dismantling piping at an oilfield gas processing plant, which had been shut down for several years. They were removing valves from around a bank of heat exchangers to recover them for scrap. They were not wearing flame resistant clothing and had no written demolition plan. Using a wand torch with propane/oxygen, they made cuts to ventilate the 10-inch piping. When a lower cut was made, trapped residual natural gas liquids sprayed out, coating them and ignited. They were immersed in a fireball and were severely burned. Employee #1 and #2 were hospitalized with burns, and Employee #3 died.
Keywords: BURN, PPE, FIRE, IGNITION SYSTEM, WELDER, NATURAL GAS, EXPLOSION, CUTTING AND BURNING
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312156482 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Welders and cutters | ||
| 2 | 312156482 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Welders and cutters | ||
| 3 | 312156482 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Welders and cutters |
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