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Accident Report Detail

Accident: 674192 - Employee Asphyxiated In Confined Space Filled With Argon

Accident: 674192 -- Report ID: 0454510 -- Event Date: 03/21/1988
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
10547491003/24/19881721Mcdaniels Industries
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
10547492803/30/19889224Fire Department, City Of Georgetown
InspectionOpen DateSICEstablishment Name
10547490203/22/19883312Georgetown Steel Corporation
ON MARCH 21, 1988, EMPLOYEE #1 APPARENTLY ATTEMPTED TO ASCERTAIN THE CAUSE OF AN EXCESS ARGON USAGE THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. IN DOING SO HE ENTERED, ALONE, A LADLE TURRET WHICH OFTEN CONTAINS ARGON GAS. THE TURRET IS 15 FEET IN DIAMETER AND HAS 2 DOORS ON THE BOTTOM SECTION AND ONE DOOR IN THE UPPER LADLE HOLDER. THE CEILING IS 8 FEET HIGH. A CONTRACTOR ON SITE REMEMBERED SOMEONE WEARING A WHITE HARD HAT AND COVERALLS ENTERING THE BOTTOM TURRET BETWEEN 8:30 AND 9 AM. NO ONE NOTICED EMPLOYEE #1 THE REST OF THE DAY. AT ABOUT 12:30 AM EMPLOYEE #1'S WIFE CALLED THE PLANT BECAUSE HER HUSBAND HAD NOT COME HOME. EMPLOYEES NOTICED THAT EMPLOYEE #1'S TRUCK WAS STILL PARKED AT THE PLANT SO THEY BEGAN LOOKING FOR HIM. HE WAS FOUND, DEAD, IN THE LADLE TURRET AT ABOUT 1 AM. LOCAL FIRE FIGHTERS, EQUIPPED WITH SCBA'S, RETRIEVED EMPLOYEE #1'S BODY. (APPARENTLY THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER WHO WROTE THIS REPORT PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, BUT THE CONTINUATION SHEET HAS BEEN LOST. W.G.)
Keywords: oxygen deficiency, respiratory, asphyxiated, ladle, work rules, argon, confined space
Employee # Inspection Age Sex Degree Nature Occupation
1 105474910 Occupation Not Listed
2 105474928 Occupation Not Listed
3 105474902 Fatality Asphyxia Occupation not reported

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