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: 202086062 - Employee Dies From Burns In A Propane Fire

Accident: 202086062 -- Report ID: 0524700 -- Event Date: 05/24/2002
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
30511419105/24/20021771Garman Construction
On May 24, 2002, Employee #1 and a foreman were preparing to use an asphalt crack sealing machine referred to as a tar kettle to fix pavement cracks with hot asphalt. The foreman left the job site to make a phone call, telling Employee #1 to watch the tar kettle. Employee #1 added water to a tank containing thermal transfer oil that surrounded the tar kettle. This tank was served by propane burners to provide even heating of the tar kettle's contents so the asphalt flowed easily. After Employee #1 added the water and steam pressure caused the thermal oil tank to fail. Vaporized oil was released and then ignited. The fire burned through the liquid propane lines supplying the thermal tank's burners, allowing the propane to escape and explode. Employee #1 sustained burns over 98 percent of his body. He was transported to the hospital, where he died.
Keywords: burn, flammable liquid, flammable vapors, work rules, fire, construction, explosion, high pressure, hot asphalt, propane
End Use Proj Type Proj Cost Stories NonBldgHt Fatality
Multi-family dwelling Maintenance or repair Under $50,000 1 X
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation Construction
1 305114191 Fatality Burn/Scald(Heat) Construction laborers FallDist:
FallHt:
Cause: Paving
FatCause: Fire/explosion

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