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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 109327106 - Agricultural Minerals
Inspection Information - Office: Omaha Area Office
Site Address:
Agricultural Minerals
250 Industrial Park Drive
Blair, NE 68009
Mailing Address:
Po Box 365, Blair, NE 68008
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:5191
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Referral
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 08/25/1994
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/31/1995
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 901949164 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 7 | 1 | 8 | |||
| Current Violations | 6 | 2 | 8 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $12,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $12,375 |
| Current Penalty | $12,375 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $12,375 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 19100119 F03 | 11/02/1994 | 11/10/1994 | $0 | $2,625 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100119 J05 | 11/02/1994 | 11/07/1994 | $5,250 | $2,625 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003A | Serious | 19100120 Q02 VI | 11/02/1994 | 11/10/1994 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01003B | Serious | 19100120 Q02 VII | 11/02/1994 | 11/10/1994 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01003C | Serious | 19100120 Q02 X | 11/02/1994 | 11/10/1994 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01003D | Serious | 19100120 Q02 XI | 11/02/1994 | 11/10/1994 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 7. | 01004 | Serious | 19100120 Q06 II | 11/02/1994 | 11/21/1994 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 8. | 01005 | Serious | 19100134 F02 I | 11/02/1994 | 11/07/1994 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 9. | 01006A | Serious | 19100147 C04 II | 11/02/1994 | 05/22/1995 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 10. | 01006B | Serious | 19100147 F02 I | 11/02/1994 | 05/22/1995 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 11. | 01006C | Serious | 19100147 F04 | 11/02/1994 | 05/22/1995 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 12. | 01007 | Serious | 19100333 B02 I | 11/02/1994 | 05/22/1995 | $1,125 | $1,125 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 13. | 02001 | Other | 19101200 E02 III | 11/02/1994 | 11/10/1994 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
Between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on August 17, 1994, a terminal operator for Agricultural Minerals arranged for anhydrous ammonia to be pumped from the pipeline into two 30,000 gallon anhydrous ammonia pressure vessels (bullets) at the anhydrous ammonia and liquid fertilizer terminal. The high level shut-off switch had been disconnected since July 27, 1994. At about 3:00 a.m. on August 18, 1994, while the terminal operator was working in the compressor room, the bullets were overfilled and an emergency relief valve released about 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into the air. The ammonia cloud drifted southward onto another property, where a Cargill, Inc., ethanol plant was under construction. As a result, Employee #1 of Merrill Security, Inc., and Employees #2 through #6 of Ryan & Associates (a piping contractor), were sent to Blair Memorial Community Hospital where they received oxygen as first aid for respiratory irritation. Another 18 employees of Ryan Associates were evaluated and released.
Keywords: RESPIRATORY, TOXIC ATMOSPHERE, AIR CONTAMINATION, PRESSURE VESSEL, ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, OVEREXPOSURE, CONSTRUCTION, ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 109327106 | Occupation Not Listed |