Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309562742 - Mittal Steel Usa Burns Harbor

Inspection Information - Office: Indiana Department Of Labor

Investigation Summary

At approximately 9:15 p.m. on October 25, 2006, Employees #1, #2 and #3 were operators inspecting D furnace Bustle pipe for a loud noise. There was a catastrophic failure of Bustle pipe which was operating at 2,100 degrees at 35 psi. and blowing 175,000 standard cubic feet per minute pressure. In less than one minute blast furnace pressure dropped down to 0. All the pressure, hot air, brick refractory and debris blew out of the 6 feet by 9 feet hole where pipe separated. The blast from the pipe hit the furnace and bounced back to hit the employees on platform on their back sides. Two minutes after the event, the blast furnace was shut down. The emergency services were notified and arrived shortly after. The Employees #1, #2 and #3 were transported to Porter Hospital in Valparaiso. Employees #1 and #2 were air lifted to Loyola University Hospital Burn Unit and Employee #3 was air lifted to University of Chicago Hospital Burn Unit. All three employees were hospitalized and treated for burns.

Keywords: BURN, VAPOR, GAS, EXPLOSION, PIPE, STRUCK BY