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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 301307690 - National Vinegar Company, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Houston North Area Office
Site Address:
National Vinegar Company, Inc.
4115 Gillespie St.
Houston, TX 77020
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2761, Houston, TX 77252
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2099
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 05/06/1997
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 03/18/1998
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 360342182 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Current Violations | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $8,325 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $8,325 |
| Current Penalty | $8,325 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $8,325 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 19100038 A02 | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $525 | $525 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 19100106 B02 VIIIE | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $2,100 | $2,100 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 3. | 01003A | Serious | 19100106 B02 VIIIF | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 4. | 01003B | Serious | 19100106 F05 II | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 5. | 01003C | Serious | 19100307 B | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 6. | 01004 | Serious | 19100147 C04 I | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $2,100 | $2,100 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
| 7. | 01005 | Serious | 19100147 C07 I | 10/09/1997 | 10/22/1997 | $2,100 | $2,100 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on April 29, 1997, Employees #1 and #2 were replacing the meter leveling gauge on the roof of standard denatured alcohol (SDA) tank #2. The 20 ft tall tank contained 6,033 gallons of ethyl alcohol, a class IB flammable liquid. They disconnected the wiring to the explosion-proof metering device and placed it on top of the tank. As they removed the metering device from the tank roof, ethanol vapors escaped and traveled along the roof of the tank because ethanol is denser than air. When the ethanol vapors reached the live wires to the metering device several feet away, they ignited and flashed back into SDA tank #2. The resulting explosion propelled Employee #1 approximately 50 yards northeast. He landed on a cement side street and died on impact. Employee #2 landed on grass approximately 10 yards northeast; he sustained a concussion and multiple injuries. Neither of the employees nor management had performed lockout/tagout procedures on the electrical wiring to the metering device that was being removed.
Keywords: MAINTENANCE, VAPOR, FLAMMABLE LIQUID, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, WORK RULES, STORAGE TANK, LOCKOUT, ETHANOL, EXPLOSION, CONCUSSION
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301307690 | Fatality | Concussion | Machinery maintenance occupations | ||
| 2 | 301307690 | Hospitalized injury | Concussion | Machinery maintenance occupations |