Inspection Detail

Inspection: 911651 - Sprague Electric Co

Inspection Information - Office: Concord Area Office

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEES #1 THROUGH #5 WERE PERFORMING THEIR REGULAR INSPECTION OR PACKING DUTIES WHEN THEY NOTICED A "ROTTEN EGG OR SEWAGE" TYPE ODOR. THE ODOR PERSISTED FOR AT LEAST 10 HOURS, CAUSING EMPLOYEES #1 & #2 TO EXPERIENCE STABBING HEADACHES, NAUSEA, BURNING THROAT AND NOSTRILS, WEAKNESS, DYSPNEA, DISORIENTATION AND DIZZINESS. EMPLOYEE #2 VOMITTED. EMPLOYEES #3 THROUGH #5 EXPERIENCED A STRANGE LIGHTHEADED FEELING AND A BURNING SENSATION IN THE CHEST AREA. THE COMPANY NURSE SENT THESE EMPLOYEES, AND OTHERS WHO DID NOT REPORT SYMPTOMS, TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL'S EMERGENCY ROOM. WHEN THE TWO AFFECTED ROOMS HAD THEIR AIR CONDITIONING AND AIR HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMS TURNED OFF, THE ODOR DISAPPEARED. ONE MAINTENANCE MAN SAID HE DETECTED THE ODOR EACH TIME THE HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM WAS TURNED ON. THE ODOR SOURCE WAS NEVER IDENTIFIED. NO EMPLOYEE RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT OR HOSPITALIZATION. THE ODOR WAS GONE THE NEXT DAY.

Keywords: RESPIRATORY, AIR CONDITIONER, HEADACHE, INHALATION, NAUSEA, AIR CONTAMINATION, DIZZINESS, TOXIC FUMES, VOMIT