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Accident: 14464291 - Asphyxiated In Confined Space (Furnace)

Accident: 14464291 -- Report ID: 0551800 -- Event Date: 03/31/1986
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
269955104/02/19863312U.S. Steel Gary Works
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 # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 2699551 Fatality Asphyxia Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.
2 2699551 Non Hospitalized injury Asphyxia Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.
3 2699551 Hospitalized injury Asphyxia Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.
4 2699551 Fatality Asphyxia Fabricating machine operators, n.e.c.

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