Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110140100 - Elevator Mfg. & Assembly Corp.

Inspection Information - Office: Jacksonville Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:10 a.m. on February 14, 1997, Employee #1, age 18, was using an oxy-acetylene torch to cut off the top of a 55 gallon drum and to cut some handles on the drum. His coworker, who gave Employee #1 the assignment, left the work area prior to any work being done. On the previous day, the coworker had shown Employee #1 how to cut drums without incident, but he had used barrels that had previously contained hydraulic oil. On the day of the accident, Employee #1 chose a drum that had contained lacquer thinner. When he applied the flame of the torch to the top of the drum, it exploded, spraying Employee #1 with the remainder of its contents. The coworker and a contractor heard the explosion, and they brought fire extinguishers to put out the flames. An ambulance was immediately called, and Employee #1 was transported to a local hospital. He died from his injuries while waiting for transportation to a burn unit.

Keywords: BURN, LACQUER THINNER, ACETYLENE TORCH, FLAMMABLE LIQUID, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, DRUM, FIRE, EXPLOSION, INEXPERIENCE