OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14262646
FORD MOTOR CO, LOUISVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT
LOUISVILLE, KY—
Event description
TRANSFORMER EXPLODED, SPILLING PCB ON EMPLOYEES
Investigation abstract
DURING THE WEEK OF MARCH 25, 1985, THERE HAD BEEN SOME INTERFERENCE IN THE MAIN POWER SOURCE. THE EMPLOYEES WERE TROUBLE SHOOTING THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. TWO EMPLOYEES WERE ASSIGNED TO CLOSE A 13,700 VOLT SWITCH ON THE LAST TRANSFORMER ON LINE AT THE 12B SUBSTATION. WHEN THE SWITCH WAS CLOSED, THERE WA S A MUFFLED EXPLOSION. PCB LIQUID ERUPTED OUT OF THE "POP-OFF" VALVE. THE PCB SP LASHED INTO THE FACE OF ONE EMPLOYEE. THE OTHER EMPLOYEE WAS PROTECTED BY SAFETY GLASSES, AND GOT THE PCB ONLY ON HIS CLOTHES. THE EMPLOYEE WHO WAS SPLASHED IN THE FACE BY THE PCB IMMEDIATELEY WENT TO A SINK TO WASH THE PCB OFF. BOTH EMPLOY EES ALSO WENT TO A HOSPITAL TO BE DECONTAMINATED.
Victims (2)
-
#1 Hospitalized Age 50 M
- Nature of injury
- 4
- Part of body
- 9
- Event type
- 14
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 503
- Human factor
- 14
- Environmental factor
- 18
- Hazardous substance
- 0631
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#2 Hospitalized Age 56 M
- Nature of injury
- 4
- Part of body
- 31
- Event type
- 14
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 523
- Human factor
- 14
- Environmental factor
- 18
- Hazardous substance
- 0631
- Task assigned
- 1
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