Inspection Detail

Inspection: 123578551 - Gaffey Crane

Inspection Information - Office: Houston South Area Office

Inspection Nr: 123578551

Report ID: 0626700

Date Opened: 03/27/2000

Site Address:
Gaffey Crane
1400 Jefferson St.
Pasadena, TX 77501

Mailing Address:
1436 N. Duck, Cleveland, TX 77327

Union Status: NonUnion

SIC:1799

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Unprog Rel

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 09/26/2000

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 09/26/2000

Related Activity
Type	Activity Nr	Safety	Health
Accident	101930121

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 201921863

Event: 03/27/2000

One Employee Killed 145 Injured In Fire And Explosion

While preparing a butadiene intermediate vessel for cleaning, chemical residue was left inside the vessel for several weeks forming "popcorn" polymer. During routine checks, someone blocked in the vessel. The chemical continued to polymerize for several days building pressure within the vessel. When the pressure exceeded the limits of the vessel, it ruptured releasing a large quantity of flammable vapor which ignited. Employee #1 was killed and approximately 145 other employees suffered injuries that required medical attention ranging from first aid to hospitalization.

Keywords: EXPLOSION, FIRE, BURN, HEAT, SPRAIN, CHEMICAL, CHEMICAL BURN, CHEMICAL REACTION, CHEMICAL VAPOR

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	123578551					Occupation Not Listed

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