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Inspection Detail

Inspection: 100972637 - General Electric Co.

Inspection Information - Office: Springfield Area Office

 

Inspection Nr: 100972637
Report ID: 0112600
Date Opened: 03/13/1992

Site Address:
General Electric Co.
1 Plastic Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201

Mailing Address:
, , 00000

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:2821

NAICS: 0 

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Health

Close Conference: 04/14/1992

Planning Guide: Health-Manufacturing

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 10/13/1992

Related Activity
Type Activity Nr Safety Health
Accident 360319461
Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties Serious Willful Repeat Other Unclass Total
Initial Violations 6 6
Current Violations 6 6
Initial Penalty $20,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $20,250
Current Penalty $20,250 $0 $0 $0 $0 $20,250
FTA Penalty $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Violation Items
# Citation ID Citaton Type Standard Cited Issuance Date Abatement Due Date Current Penalty Initial Penalty FTA Penalty Contest Latest Event Note
1. 01001 Serious 5A0001 05/19/1992 05/22/1992 $4,500 $4,500 $0 -  
2. 01002 Serious 19100106 H04 IVA 05/19/1992 05/22/1992 $4,500 $4,500 $0 -  
3. 01003 Serious 19100106 H04 IVB 05/19/1992 05/22/1992 $4,500 $4,500 $0 -  
4. 01004 Serious 19100106 H07 I 05/19/1992 05/22/1992 $2,250 $2,250 $0 -  
5. 01005 Serious 19100147 C04 II 05/19/1992 10/12/1992 $2,250 $2,250 $0 I - Informal Settlement  
6. 01006 Serious 19100212 A04 05/19/1992 05/22/1992 $2,250 $2,250 $0 -  

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 937144
Event: 03/13/1992
Employee killed as toluene explosion blows centrifuge cover

On March 13, 1992, Employee #1 was removing toluene from a sodium phenate slurry by centrifugation. The employee was looking through a sight glass on the cover of the centrifuge while filling it. Toluene vapors were ignited and the overpressure threw the centrifuge cover off and into the head of the employee, knocking him backward. He struck his head and died of head trauma. An investigation revealed that a nitrogen line, used to inert the centrifuge, had been closed. Without the nitrogen, an explosive mixture was formed and ignited, most probably by static electricity generated by the filling and spinning action of the centrifuge.

Keywords: HEAD, STATIC ELECTRICITY, COVER, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, TOLUENE, EXPLOSION, VALVE, STRUCK BY, FLYING OBJECT

Investigated Inspection
# Inspection Age Sex Degree of Injury Nature of Injury Occupation
1 100972637 Fatality Concussion Occupation not reported
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