Powered by GoogleTranslate

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA

Contact Us FAQ A to Z Index English Español

Return to Accident Search Results

Accident Report Detail

Accident: 14215008 - Pressure Vessel Ruptured; Employees Burned By Steam & Wax

Accident: 14215008 -- Report ID: 0454510 -- Event Date: 11/23/1985
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
320873311/25/19852865Venture Chemical Inc.
ON NOVEMBER 23, 1985, EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 MELTED PARAFFIN WAX FLAKES IN A VESSEL EQUIPPED WITH A STEAM JACKET. STEAM PRESSURE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE AT 135 PSI INSIDE THE JACKET. THE STEAM WAS CUT OFF TO ALLOW THE REPAIR OF A FAULTY OUTLET VALVE. WHEN THE STEAM WAS TURNED ON TO REMELT THE WAX THE INNER JACKET OF THE VESSEL COLLAPSED. THE MIXTURE OF STEAM AND HOT WAX WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE VESSEL, ONTO THE THREE EMPLOYEES. ALL THREE SUFFERED SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BURNS OVER A LARGE PART OF THEIR BODIES. THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WORKING PRESSURE OF THE VESSEL WAS CALCULATED TO BE 33.75 PSI. THE EXCESSIVE STEAM PRESSURE CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE INNER JACKET.
Keywords: burn, pressure vessel, work rules, rupture, steam, high pressure
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 3208733 Hospitalized injury Burn/Scald(Heat) Occupation not reported
2 3208733 Hospitalized injury Burn/Scald(Heat) Chemical engineers
3 3208733 Hospitalized injury Burn/Scald(Heat) Occupation not reported

Thank You for Visiting Our Website

You are exiting the Department of Labor's Web server.

The Department of Labor does not endorse, takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over the linked organization or its views, or contents, nor does it vouch for the accuracy or accessibility of the information contained on the destination server. The Department of Labor also cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked Web sites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked Web site. Thank you for visiting our site. Please click the button below to continue.

Close