Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14379184 - Mechanic dies of exposure to propylene in confined space

Accident Summary Nr: 14379184 -- Report ID: 0524500 -- Event Date: 05/15/1990
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
103296182	05/16/1990	2046	0	A. E. Staley Mfg. Co.

Abstract: Employee #1 and a coworker, both mechanics, entered a corn starch reactor to do maintenance and repair. The reactor was approximately 20 ft in length by 80 ft in diameter and was equipped with one 18 in. entry/exit manhole. The crawl space inside the reactor measured 24 in. Once inside the reactor, the coworker first detected an odor of propylene oxide and then observed the chemical leaking from an open vent. He managed to reach the manhole and escape. Employee #1, however, was overcome and died of asphyxia. Proper confined space entry procedures had not been followed.

Keywords: MAINTENANCE, ASPHYXIATED, REPAIR, CONFINED SPACE, WORK RULES, MECHANIC, PROPYLENE, PIPE, TOXIC FUMES, OVEREXPOSURE

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	103296182			Fatality	Asphyxia	Specified mechanics and repairers

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