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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 1501015.015 - National Technical Systems, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Birmingham Area Office
Site Address:
National Technical Systems, Inc.
7800 Highway 20 West
Huntsville, AL 35824
Mailing Address:
7800 Highway 20 West, Huntsville, AL 35824
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 541380/Testing Laboratories
Inspection Type: Referral
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 04/23/2021
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/04/2022
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 1679991 | Yes |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
| Current Violations | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $81,918 | $0 | $0 | $9,753 | $0 | $91,671 |
| Current Penalty | $54,612 | $0 | $0 | $23,406 | $0 | $78,018 |
| 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 | 19100146 C02 | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $13,653 | $13,653 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100146 D05 I | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $13,653 | $13,653 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 3. | 01003 | Other | 19100146 E01 | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $13,653 | $13,653 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100146 G01 | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $13,653 | $13,653 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100146 K02 II | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $0 | $13,653 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 6. | 01006A | Serious | 19101200 H01 | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $13,653 | $13,653 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 7. | 01006B | Serious | 19101200 H03 I | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 8. | 01006C | Serious | 19101200 H03 III | 04/23/2021 | 03/08/2022 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision | |
| 9. | 02001 | Other | 19040039 A02 | 04/23/2021 | $9,753 | $9,753 | $0 | 05/19/2021 | J - ALJ Decision |
Investigation Summary
At 5:00 p.m. on October 27, 2020, Employee #1, an engineering technician, was inspecting ice accumulation from a cold climate test being performed on a prototype Lift King Forklift (TP 70 PSI). The climate test was being performed inside a make-shift chamber constructed of 2-inch-thick Owens Corning Foamular 250 R-10 foam boards. The cold temperature was being maintained by using liquid nitrogen. Employee #1 entered the structure and lost consciousness inside due to the oxygen deficient environment. Employee #2, also an engineering technician, heard Employee #1 collapse and began tearing down the foam walls in order to rescue Employee #1. Employee #2 also lost consciousness due to the oxygen deficient environment. Both employees were hospitalized due to asphyxiation.
Keywords: Air Monitoring, Atmosphere, Chemical, Confined Space, Entry Permit, Gas, Hot Asphalt, Inexperience, Inhalation, Lack of Work Procedures, Lack of oxygen, Lost consciousness, Lung, Nitrogen, Oxygen Deficiency, Toxic Atmosphere, Unauthorized Entry
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1501015.015 | 56 | M | Hospitalized injury | Engineering technicians, n.e.c. | |
| 2 | 1501015.015 | 29 | M | Hospitalized injury | Engineers, n.e.c. |