Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14476188 - AMMONIA ESCAPE FROM PRESSURIZED VESSEL

Accident Summary Nr: 14476188 -- Report ID: 0522000 -- Event Date: 05/04/1984
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1677475	05/04/1984	1731	0	Garfield Electric Co
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1256270	05/04/1984	1799	0	A C And S Inc
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1677467	05/04/1984	1711	0	Refrigeration Systems Co
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1677442	05/04/1984	2026	0	United Dairy Farmers Inc
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1677467	05/04/1984	1711	0	Refrigeration Systems Co
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1677475	05/04/1984	1731	0	Garfield Electric Co
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
1677467	05/04/1984	1711	0	Refrigeration Systems Co

Abstract: A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WAS BEING INSTALLED IN A NEW WING OF THE UNITED DAIRY FORMERS PLANT IN NORWOOD, OHIO. A LEAK CHECK WAS BEING PERFORMED BY EMPLOYEE #1 ON A "LOW PRESSURE TANK" WHICH WAS FILLED WITH A MIXTURE OF AMMONIA AND AIR UNDER A PRESSURE OF 150 PSI. HE SQUIRTED A SOAP BUBBLE SOLUTION ONTO A BUTTERFLY VALVE. THIS VALVE SUDDENLY POPPED COMPLETELY OPEN. THE FORCE OF THE OUTRUSHING NOXIOUS GASES SLAMMED EMPLOYEE #1 AGAINST THE BACK OF THE ELEVATED BASKET IN WHICH HE WAS WORKING. HE CONSEQUENTLY FELL APPROMIMATELY 15 FEET ONTO A CONCRETE FLOOR, SUFFERING A BROKEN ARM, BROKEN LEG, AND OTHER INJURIES. THE OTHER 6 HOSPITALIZED EMPLOYEES SUFFERED BURNING SENSATIONS IN THE RESPIRATORY TRACT DUE TO INHALATION OF AMMONIA. THE WORKERS WERE PERFORMING ELECTRICAL WORK & OTHER DUTIES IN THE SAME SECTION OF THE BUILDING.

Keywords: BUTTERFLY VALVE, FALL, AMMONIA, INHALATION, VALVE, LEG, FRACTURE, RESPIRATORY TRACT, ARM

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	1677475	Hospitalized injury	Burn(Chemical)	Occupation not reported
2	1677475	Hospitalized injury	Burn(Chemical)	Occupation not reported
3	1256270			Occupation Not Listed
4	1677467	Hospitalized injury	Fracture	Occupation not reported
5	1677442	Hospitalized injury	Burn(Chemical)	Occupation not reported
6	1677467	Hospitalized injury	Burn(Chemical)	Occupation not reported
7	1677475	Hospitalized injury	Burn(Chemical)	Occupation not reported
8	1677467	Hospitalized injury	Burn(Chemical)	Occupation not reported

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