OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14350649
GAS, EXPLOSION, TANK
Event description
HOLDER OF COKE OVEN GAS EXPLODED
Investigation abstract
ON JANUARY 25, 1985, AT ABOUT 9:15 AM, A THREE MILLION CUBIC FOOT CAPACITY GAS H OLDER EXPLODED. THE GAS HOLDER WAS THE FLOATING ROOF TYPE AND WAS BUILT IN 1924. THE HOLDER WAS LOCATED ON THE PROPERTY OF A COKE MANUFACTURING COMPANY. IT WAS USED TO STORE SURPLUS COKE OVEN GAS, WHICH WAS THEN SOLD. NO EMPLOYEES WERE INJU RED, BUT SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SUSTAINED BURNS. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WENT STRAIGHT UP. THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE HOLD ER WAS THE ROOF. FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON THE GAS ESCAPED AND THE TELESCOPING SIDES FELL. PHYSICAL DETERIORATION OF THE GASHOLDER ROOF AND/OR SIDES MAY HAVE C ONTRIBUTED. THE EVENT RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE.