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: 170358022 - Employee'S Face Burned By Chemical Reaction/Flash Fire

Accident: 170358022 -- Report ID: 0950635 -- Event Date: 01/12/1994
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
11212815201/25/19942899Lonza Corporation
On January 12, 1994, Employee #1 was preparing a batch of Pegosperse 50MS (emulsifier) in vessel C-2. Upon completion of product, the quality control lab reported that the pH was too high and the Pegosperse 50MS needed to be bleached. Employee #1 started the bleaching process by adding sodium chlorite 31 percent solution to the mixture, starting a nitrogen sparge, and waiting for 1 1/2 hours before adding sodium borohydride. Employee #1 had reached the step of adding the sodium borohydride when he decided to relieve the pressure in the vessel by opening the valve used to introduce sodium chlorite. As he opened the valve, sodium chlorite (liquid) residue discharged, spraying the grating and the plastic bucket which contained sodium borohydride. The sodium borohydride reacted with the sodium chlorite, producing hydrogen gas which flashed into Employee #1's face. He was wearing splash goggles as face and eye protection. The flash caught him in the face, and his entire face sustained second-degree burns. Fellow operators called the Long Beach Fire Department who brought Employee #1 to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center where he was admitted.
Keywords: hydrogen, ppe, work rules, fire, chemical reaction, valve, chemical burn, process safety, face, accidental discharge
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 112128152 Hospitalized injury Burn(Chemical) 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