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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 123467839 - Union Carbide Corp
Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office
Site Address:
Union Carbide Corp
Hwy 3142
Taft, LA 70057
Mailing Address:
Hwy 3142, Hahnville, LA 70057
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2869
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 09/01/1998
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 11/02/1998
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361905029 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Current Violations | 5 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $22,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $22,500 |
| Current Penalty | $22,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $22,500 |
| 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 | Serious | 19100119 F04 | 09/11/1998 | 09/17/1998 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100119 J02 | 09/11/1998 | 09/17/1998 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 3. | 01003A | Serious | 19100119 J03 | 09/11/1998 | 09/17/1998 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 4. | 01003B | Serious | 19100146 G01 | 09/11/1998 | 09/17/1998 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 5. | 01004A | Serious | 19100145 C03 | 09/11/1998 | 09/17/1998 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 6. | 01004B | Serious | 19100146 C02 | 09/11/1998 | 09/23/1998 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - | ||
| 7. | 01005 | Serious | 19100146 D02 | 09/11/1998 | 09/17/1998 | $4,500 | $4,500 | $0 | - | ||
| 8. | 02001 | Other | 19101200 E01 II | 09/11/1998 | 10/07/1998 | $0 | $0 | $0 | - |
Investigation Summary
Employees #1 and #2 were part of a crew installing an oxygen feed mixer on the fifth floor of the etox unit. An enclosure had been made by wrapping the opening of a large pipe with black plastic, and Employees #1 and #2 entered this enclosure to check with a black light the surface of the pipe's flange for oil contamination. The pipe was filled with nitrogen, which was being put into the process equipment to prevent rusting. Employees #1 and #2 were overcome in the oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Coworkers in the immediate area could not see through the black plastic that the men were in trouble, and so did not respond in a timely manner. Finally, a contractor determined that there was a problem and the plant's emergency response team arrived and provided emergency medical treatment. Employees #1 and #2 were transported to the hospital, where Employee #1 was pronounced dead. Employee #2 was still recovering from the incident and appeared to be suffering from short-term memory loss.
Keywords: OXYGEN, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, ASPHYXIATED, INSTALLING, OBSTRUCTED VIEW, INHALATION, GAS, NITROGEN, COMMUNICATION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123467839 | Hospitalized injury | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 123467839 | Fatality | Asphyxia | Occupation not reported |