Accident: 100781327 - Killed By Falling Crane Cab

Employee #1 was cutting a dragline crane cab into scrap metal pieces. He had gone under the unsupported cab to complete a torch cut when it fell, crushing the top of his head. Employee #1 was killed.

crane cab, scrap metal, struck by, falling object, crushed, head, unstable position, unsecured, work rules, cutting and burning

Accident: 883769 - Killed When Fuel Tank Explodes During Cutting

Employee #1 was cutting a fuel tank that had not been cleaned or purged. It exploded, and he was killed.

gasoline, tank, explosion, burn, work rules, flammable liquid, agriculture, flammable vapors, torch, cutting and burning

Accident: 769323 - One Killed, One Injured In Magnesium Shavings Fire

On May 4, 1998, Employees #1 and #2, of a steel recycling crew, were removing an overhead crane and beam hoisting assembly. Employee #2 was in a 3 ft wide by 10 ft long by 4 ft 6 in. tall manlift that had been raised to a height of 8 ft. He was standing on the lift above a storage bin filled with highly combustible magnesium shavings when he momentarily lit the cutting torches. Sparks from the torch ignited the shavings, which burned in excess of 500 degrees F. Employee #2 sustained burns, from which he died. Employee #1 also suffered burns, but was not hospitalized.

spark, aerial lift, cutting and burning, torch, fire, burn, combustible dust, work rules, dismantling

Accident: 14392120 - Three Hospitalized After Explosion On Oil Production Barge

Employee #1 was operating a crane mounted on a work barge. Employees #2 and #3 were cutting and welding on an oil production barge close to the work barge. Six oil storage tanks were mounted on a concrete deck on the oil production barge, which had been sunk at the location for 30 years. An explosion occurred inside a barge compartment near the welding that knocked down one oil tank and caused another one to ignite. The force of the explosion went upward, but Employees #1 through #3 sustained injuries that required hospitalization. Apparently crude oil had leaked through the concrete deck into the barge compartment; testing had not revealed the presence of any flammable substances.

oil tank, explosion, barge, construction, welding, cutting and burning, leak, flammable liquid, fire, combustible liquid

Accident: 200200236 - Injured In Scrap Yard Fire, Later Dies

On March 12, 1997, Employee #1 was using a propane/oxygen torch to cut up a crane in a scrap yard when a fire erupted. He sustained serious burns and was transported to the hospital, where he died on March 26, 1997. Employee #1 and two coworkers present at the time of the accident were employed by a temporary labor source that had since gone out of business. OSHA was not notified by the employer, but the attorney for Employee #1's wife contacted OSHA on May 1, 1997, with a report of the fatality. The investigation relied on statements by the owner of the scrap yard where the crane was cut up, the employer, one coworker, and the attorney. The crane had been sold for scrap to the employer by the owner of the scrap yard, who stated that the crane had been sitting on his yard for 25 years without an engine or hydraulic cylinders. This was verified by the employer. The employer did not inspect the crane for flammable liquids before allowing his employees to begin cutting. The crane could not be examined as it had subsequently been completely dismantled and melted down. The employer was cited for failure to report the fatality and for failure to ensure that the crane was free of flammables before allowing cutting with a torch.

torch, cutting and burning, fire, flammable liquid, flammable vapors, work rules, scrap yard, burn

Accident: 200020287 - Injured When Drum Explodes During Cutting

Employee #1 was using a Sawzall to cut off the tops and bottoms of unwashed 55 gallon drums that had previously held oil-based paints and lacquer thinner. After cutting several drums and breaking a number of saw blades, hr decided to switch to an oxy/acetylene torch. The final drum to be cut had previously contained lacquer thinner, and the bungs had not been removed to allow it to air. The drum exploded while Employee #1 was cutting it. He fractured both legs and sustained second-degree burns to his face, hands, and neck. Employee #1 was flown to a local trauma center and then transferred to a burn center.

drum, explosion, cutting and burning, acetylene torch, flammable vapors, burn, work rules, fracture, face, ventilation