Inspection Detail

Inspection: 104531553 - The King Company

Inspection Information - Office: Minnesota Department Of Labor And Industry

Inspection Nr: 104531553

Report ID: 0552700

Date Opened: 08/27/1987

Site Address:
The King Company
1001 21st Ave. Nw
Owatonna, MN 55060

Mailing Address:
Po Box 287, Owatonna, MN 55060

Union Status: Union

SIC:3564

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Accident

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 08/27/1987

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 09/03/1987

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	360760219

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 998898

Event: 08/07/1987

EMPLOYEE BURNED IN AIR HANDLER UNIT EXPLOSION WHILE TESTING

ON AUGUST 7, 1987, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS TESTING A TDM SERIES, MODEL 200, INDIRECT FIRED SPACE HEATER. THE UNIT WAS CONNECTED FOR TESTING AND THE MAIN GAS VALVE HAD BEEN ON FOR TEN MINUTES. THE FLAME DROPPED OUT AND THE PILOT LIGHT STAYED LIT. HE OPENED THE PUFF DOOR ON THE HEAT CHAMBER. THE UNIT OPERATES ON .2 INCH NEGATIVE PRESSURE. THE GAS VALVE CONTINUED TO FEED NATURAL GAS INTO THE BURN CHAMBER. THE ADDITIONAL AIR THAT WAS ADDED WHEN THE PUFF DOOR OPENED CAUSED A RAPID BURN OR EXPLOSION. THE EMPLOYEE SUFFERED 2ND DEGREE BURNS OVER 40% OF HIS BODY. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS WEARING A POLYESTER T-SHIRT THAT COTRIBUTED TO THE SEVERITY OF THE BURNS. THE FLAME WAS SET ON IN THE HIGH FIRE POSITION. AN OUTSIDE FIRM WORKING FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE EQUIPMENT. SAFETY GLASSES WERE WORN AND PREVENTED SERIOUS EYE INJURY.

Keywords: BURN, CLOTHING, PPE, HEATER, NATURAL GAS, EXPLOSION

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	104531553			Hospitalized injury	Burn/Scald(Heat)	Production testers

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