Inspection Detail

Inspection: 311602940 - Nedra Corp.

Inspection Information - Office: Toledo Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on April 7, 2009, an employee was found dead.The official cause of death was unknown, pending results of testing being conducted by the medical examiner. Initially, the medical examiner had not ruled out pulmonary toxic exposure effects, possibly occupationally related. An assessment of material used at his worksite prior to the death include: Armaflex 520 Adhesive, containing acetone, toluene, and hexane; K-Lite Bulk Fiber, containing refractory ceramic fibers; Silicone impregnated Fiberglass Fabric Style 750, containing silicone, fiberglass fabric, talc, and aluminum; and Riboflavin, which was used by the host employer, an ethanol plant, to test the cleaning mechanisms inside of a holding tank. During a testing operation, riboflavin mixed with water was released from the tank, and doused the area where the employee was working, including soaking his jacket which was hanging on a scaffold frame in the area. This incident happened on April 5, 2008. The employee continued to work on April 5 and April 6, but then called in sick on April 7 and April 8, 2008. No other employees reported any illnesses, other than what appeared to be ordinary respiratory infections by many other contractor employees at the site during the prior several months, including the employee. The employee had been building and installing insulating blankets to cover valves and flanges for the piping at the ethanol plant. The ethanol plant was newly constructed, and was not yet operational. The release of the riboflavin and water mixture occurred outdoor, and the other worker in the area did not report any respiratory discomfort from coming into contact with the solution. The final result of the medical examiner's findings indicated that the death was of natural causes.

Keywords: UNCONSCIOUSNESS