OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14467849
JACKSONS WASTE OIL SERVICE
ST ALBANS, VT—
Event description
EMPLOYEE ASPHYXIATED IN GASOLINE TANK
Investigation abstract
EMPLOYEE #1 DESCENDED THROUGH A 16 INCH DIAMETER ACCESS OPENING INTO AN UNVENTIL RCOME BY FUMES AND/OR OXYGEN DEFICIENCY HIMSELF DURING HIS SECOND DESCENT. RESPO NDING FIRE FIGHTERS FOUND NO PULSE ON EMPLOYEE #1. THEY REMOVED HIM FROM THE TAN K AND ADMINISTERED 100% OXYGEN AND CPR. HOWEVER, THE EMPLOYEE WAS PRONOUNCED DEA D ON ARRIVAL AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL.THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 14 DEGREES F. A PRE LIMINARY AUTOPSY INDICATED DEATH WAS DUE TO AN OXYGEN DEFICIENCY. THE TANK PROBA BLY HAD A HYDROCARBON ENRICHED ATMOSPHERE, DISPLACING THE OXYGEN CONTENT. ATED ABOVE-GROUND (10 1/2 FEET DEEP, 33 FEET LONG) 20,000 GALLON LEADED GASOLINE STORAGE TANK. HE WAS WEARING A REXNORD (BIOMARINE) BIO PAK 45 CLOSED CIRCUIT BR EATHING APPARATUS. HIS JOB WAS TO CLEAN SLUDGE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK (SUB- CONTRACT JOB). WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF ENTRY, THE EMPLOYEE WAS SEEN TO COLLAPSE, FA CE DOWN, INTO 1 1/2 INCH OF SLUDGE AND LEADED GASOLINE. THE EMPLOYEE WAS NOT EQU IPPED WITH A SAFETY BELT (OR HARNESS) OR A LIFELINE. A CO-WORKER IMMEDIATELY CLI MBED INTO THE TANK (WITHOUT ANY RESPIRATORY PROTECTION) AND ATTEMPTED TO TIE A R OPE AROUND THE 6 FOOT, 185 POUND INDIVIDUAL. HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, AND NEARLY OVE
Victim
-
#1 Fatality Age 24 M
- Nature of injury
- 2
- Part of body
- 28
- Event type
- 12
- Source
- 43
- Occupation code
- 999
- Human factor
- 14
- Environmental factor
- 18
- Hazardous substance
- 1340
- Task assigned
- 1
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