Inspection Detail

Inspection: 103410056 - Barbary Coast Steel Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Region 09; San Francisco

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:15 p.m. on May 29, 1988, Employees #1 through #3 were undertaking the second of four 115 ton charges of steel in a melting furnace. Approximately eight minutes after the second charge was added, an explosion occurred within the furnace, venting hot gases including steam. Employee #1, the second operator, tried to escape the explosion and fell down a 20 ft cage ladder. He sustained multiple cuts and bruises and was hospitalized for one day. Employee #2, the first operator, was hospitalized with second- and third- degree burns to his back, chest, and face that covered more than 15 percent of his body. Employee #3, the melter, sustained second-degree burns to his hands and face that covered more than 10 percent of his body. He was also hospitalized.

Keywords: BURN, FURNACE, STEEL, LADDER, GAS, STEAM, EXPLOSION, MOLTEN METAL, FALL, MELTING FURNACE