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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 109364612 - Hart Metals, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Wilkes Barre Area Office
Site Address:
Hart Metals, Inc.
Route 209 North
Tamaqua, PA 18252
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 428, Tamaqua, PA 18252
Union Status: Union
SIC:3369
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Referral
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 09/19/1990
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 01/02/1992
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 901005264 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Current Violations | 5 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $2,790 | $0 | $0 | $90 | $0 | $2,880 |
| Current Penalty | $1,910 | $0 | $0 | $90 | $0 | $2,000 |
| FTA Penalty | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,000 |
| # | 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 | 10/22/1990 | 02/21/1991 | $620 | $720 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 5A0001 | 10/22/1990 | 12/01/1990 | $620 | $720 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100120 Q01 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $265 | $540 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01004A | Serious | 19100134 B01 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $225 | $450 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01004B | Serious | 19100134 D02 I | 10/22/1990 | 11/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01004C | Serious | 19100134 E03 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 7. | 01004D | Serious | 19100134 F02 IV | 10/22/1990 | 11/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 8. | 01005A | Serious | 19100156 B01 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $180 | $360 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 9. | 01005B | Serious | 19100156 B02 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $1,000 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 10. | 01005C | Serious | 19100156 C04 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 11. | 01005D | Serious | 19100157 E03 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 12. | 01005E | Serious | 19100157 F16 | 10/22/1990 | 12/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 13. | 01005F | Serious | 19100165 B01 | 10/22/1990 | 11/21/1990 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. | |
| 14. | 02001 | Other | 19040002 A | 10/22/1990 | 11/21/1990 | $90 | $90 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
Employees #1 and #2 were milling magnesium powder to a particle size of approximately 149 microns in diameter. Employee #1 was sweeping the floor while Employee #2 was manually dumping magnesium powder into a pneumatic feed that would feed the larger particles to a hammermill. The company had installed the milling system on site, using a variety of pre-manufactured components. Approximately 25 minutes after the start of the operation, the magnesium dust in the system ignited. The subsequent fire severely burned Employee #1 and caused multiple injuries to Employee #2. Both employees were hospitalized. The accident was caused by inadequate employee training and improper process controls and instrumentation. Improper explosion venting and suppression were contributing factors.
Keywords: BURN, EXPLOSIVES, VENTILATION, EXPLOSION VENTING, FIRE, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, EXPLOSION, COMBUSTIBLE DUST, PROCESS SAFETY, UNTRAINED
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 109364612 | Hospitalized injury | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 109364612 | Hospitalized injury | Bruise/Contus/Abras | Occupation not reported |