Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14464291 - ASPHYXIATED IN CONFINED SPACE (FURNACE)

Accident Summary Nr: 14464291 -- Report ID: 0551800 -- Event Date: 03/31/1986
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
2699551	04/02/1986	3312	0	U.S. Steel Gary Works

Abstract: ON MARCH 31, 1986, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM, EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 ENTERED A BASIC OXYGEN PROCESS (BOP) FURNACE, LOCATED IN THE #1 BOP SHOP, TO REMOVE A "RELINE TOWER. THE RELINE TOWER HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE FURNACE 5 DAYS EARLIER, FOR USE BY THE MASON WHO WAS RELINING THE FURNACE. EMPLOYEES. #1 AND #2 WERE IMMEDIATELY OVERCOME. AN OXYGEN DEFICIENCY HAD DEVELOPED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FURNACE BECAUSE ARGON GAS HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE FURNACE, DISPLACING THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FURNACE AT THE RATE OF 1,300 CUBIC FEET PER HOUR. AT 5:30 PM, EMPLOYEES #3 AND #4 DESCENDED INTO THE FURNACE BY LADDER. EMPLOYEE #3 REACHED THE BOTTOM AND PASSED OUT. EMPLOYEE #4 WAS WARNED BY AN EMPLOYEE AT THE TOP OF THE FURNACE TO GET OUT. EMPLOYEES #1 AND #2 WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 6:10 PM. EMPLOYEE #3 WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR OXYGEN DEPRIVATION.

Keywords: FURNACE, OXYGEN DEFICIENCY, RESPIRATORY, MAINTENANCE, ASPHYXIATED, CONFINED SPACE, AIR MONITORING, ARGON

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	2699551	Fatality	Asphyxia	Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.
2	2699551	Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.
3	2699551	Fatality	Asphyxia	Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.
4	2699551	Non Hospitalized injury	Asphyxia	Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.

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