Inspection Detail

Inspection: 104630207 - Top Hat Maintenance

Inspection Information - Office: Nv-E-Las Vegas 0953220

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEE #1, A JANITOR, WAS CLEANING OFFICES AND REST ROOMS. HE HAD ONE MORE RESTROOM TO CLEAN IN THE PLANT AREA. HE DID NOT APPEAR AT BREAKTIME SO HIS EMPLOYER AND THE SECURITY OFFICER ON DUTY BEGAN BEGAN LOOKING FOR HIM. HE WAS FOUND LYING IN THE BOTTOM OF A DEGREASING TANK THAT HAD BEEN DRAINED OF THE CHEMICAL 1.1.1 TRICHLORETHANE, ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS OVERCOME BY THE RESIDUAL VAPORS AND DIED. THE DEGREASING TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET WIDE, 8 FEET LONG, AND 6 FEET DEEP. IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW EMPLOYEE #1 ENTERED THE DEGREASER. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT HE FELL INTO THE TANK BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL MAKEUP OF THE TANK AND AREA. HE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE INTENTIONALLY ENTERED THE TANK. HE WAS NOT REQUIRED TO ENTER THE TANK OR THE AREA AROUND THE TANK DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS REGULAR DUTIES. DRAGER PUMP READINGS TAKEN IN THE DEGREASER SHOWED LEVELS OF 1.1.1 TRICHLORETHANE TO BE 100 TO 600 P.P.M.

Keywords: JANITOR, RESPIRATORY, CONFINED SPACE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, TOXIC FUMES, TANK