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EXPLOSION
| Accident Type: |
Explosion |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Clear |
| Type of Operation: |
Structural Steel Erection |
| Size of Work Crew: |
2 |
| Collective Bargaining |
No |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
No |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
Inadequate |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
No |
| Training and Education Provided: |
No |
| Employee Job Title: |
Welder |
| Age & Sex: |
26-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
Undetermined |
| Time on Project: |
15 minutes |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Two employees were welding brackets onto an oil storage tank (55,000 gallons). The tank, half full, contained explosive atmospheres of vapor from waste chemical and oil materials from automobile and truck service stations. One worker was killed and another injured when the tank exploded and the top was blown off.
INSPECTION RESULTS
As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued citations for violations of four standards.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- The employer must instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment "to control or eliminate any hazards [29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)].
- The employer is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions [29 CFR 1926.28(a)]. In this case, safety belts and lanyards or other means of fall protection would have prevented employees from falling off the tank to the ground. Also, fire or heat resistant safety clothing should have been provided and used.
- Welding, cutting, or heating must not be done where the application of flammable paints, or the presence of other flammable compounds, or heavy dust concentrations creates a hazard [29 CFR 1926.352(c)].
- Drums, containers, or hollow structures which have contained toxic or flammable substances must be filled with water or cleaned of such substances and ventilated and tested before welding, cutting, or heating is undertaken on them [29 CFR 1926.352(i)].
SOURCES OF HELP
- OSHA General Industry Standards [29 CFR parts 1900-1910] and OSHA Construction Standards [29 CFR Part 1926] which together include all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations covering construction.
- OSHA-funded free consultation services listed in telephone directories under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs.
- Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, 312/297-4810.
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
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