i
Farm mechanic died after torch cutting explosion – Oregon
-
2019/03/01
[PDF-660.06 KB]
Details:
-
Personal Author:
-
Corporate Authors:
-
Description:On March 21, 2017, a 46-year-old Hispanic farm mechanic used a plasma torch to remove the lid from an old 55-gallon drum that formerly contained flammable brake wash fluid. The drum was empty but not cleaned. The first cut with the torch caused a flash and explosion that blew the bottom off of the drum and knocked the mechanic unconscious. He died in the hospital three months later. Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include: 1. Using a hot work method to remove the lid from a drum that formerly contained a flammable liquid. 2. Not cleaning or testing the used drum before hot work was performed. 3. Inadequate knowledge of, or access to, alternate, safer method(s) for removing the lid. 4. Inadequate training and communication regarding specific job hazards. Recommendations: Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE) investigators concluded that to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. Never weld, cut, or perform other hot work on a drum or other metal container unless it has been cleaned and vented thoroughly. 2. To further reduce the risk of ignition or explosion, use a non-sparking, manual tool when removing a lid from a metal drum or barrel. 3. Routinely assess job hazards, provide regular, periodic training and communications on site-specific hazards and safe work practices, and take corrective action when needed. 4. Check and monitor employees' knowledge of job hazards and implementation of safe practices to control those hazards. 5. Provide appropriate, adequate personal protective equipment and ensure its appropriate use.
-
Subjects:
-
Keywords:
-
FACE - NIOSH and State:
-
Series:
-
Subseries:
-
DOI:
-
Publisher:
-
Document Type:
-
Funding:
-
Genre:
-
Place as Subject:
-
CIO:
-
Topic:
-
Location:
-
Pages in Document:1-12
-
Contributor:Olson, Ryan
-
NIOSHTIC Number:20059093
-
NTIS Accession Number:PB2022-100308
-
Citation:Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 17OR007, 2019 Mar; :1-12
-
Contact Point Address:Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (OR-FACE)/Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., L606, Portland, OR 97239-3098
-
Email:orface@ohsu.edu
-
Federal Fiscal Year:2019
-
Performing Organization:Oregon Health & Science University
-
Peer Reviewed:False
-
NAICS and SIC Codes:
-
Start Date:2005/07/01
-
Source Full Name:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
-
End Date:2026/06/30
-
Resource Number:FACE-17OR007
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
