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Accident: 14518559 - Employee Killed When 55 Gallon Drum Exploded

Accident: 14518559 -- Report ID: 0419700 -- Event Date: 10/29/1987
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
10136016210/30/19877218National Linen Service, Inc.
AT APPROXIMATELY 1:40 PM ON OCTOBER 29, 1987, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WORKING ALONE IN AN OPEN AREA IN THE NORTHWESTERN CORNER OF THE COMPANY'S PROPERTY. HE WAS CUTTING THE TOP AND BOTTOM OFF A 55 GALLON DRUM, USING AN OXYACETYLENE CUTTING TORCH. THE DRUM HAD NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY CLEANED, PURGED, OR VENTED. HE APPLIED HEAT TO THE TOP OF THE DRUM WITH THE TORCH, CUTTING A SMALL HOLE. EXPLOSIVE VAPORS INSIDE THE DRUM IGNITED, CAUSING AN EXPLOSION WHICH PROPELLED THE DRUM INTO EMPLOYEE #1'S HEAD. A FIRE ALSO STARTED IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS KILLED INSTANTLY.
Keywords: head, flammable vapors, work rules, drum, fire, explosion, struck by, cutting and burning
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 101360162 Fatality Cancer Occupation not reported

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