Accident: 14436752 - Dies Of Asphyxia After Inhaling Paint Fumes

Employee #1 suffered acute ethanol intoxication, pulmonary edema, and congestion after inhaling paint fumes. He died of asphyxia.

asphyxiated, inhalation, ethanol, paint, construction, pulmonary edema, toxic fumes

Accident: 201760394 - One Killed, One Injured In Ethanol Explosion

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on April 29, 1997, Employees #1 and #2 were replacing the meter leveling gauge on the roof of standard denatured alcohol (SDA) tank #2. The 20 ft tall tank contained 6,033 gallons of ethyl alcohol, a class IB flammable liquid. They disconnected the wiring to the explosion-proof metering device and placed it on top of the tank. As they removed the metering device from the tank roof, ethanol vapors escaped and traveled along the roof of the tank because ethanol is denser than air. When the ethanol vapors reached the live wires to the metering device several feet away, they ignited and flashed back into SDA tank #2. The resulting explosion propelled Employee #1 approximately 50 yards northeast. He landed on a cement side street and died on impact. Employee #2 landed on grass approximately 10 yards northeast; he sustained a concussion and multiple injuries. Neither of the employees nor management had performed lockout/tagout procedures on the electrical wiring to the metering device that was being removed.

flammable vapors, ethanol, storage tank, vapor, explosion, concussion, lockout, flammable liquid, work rules, maintenance

Accident: 170378590 - Exposed To Acetone And Ethanol During Drug Arrest

On June 17, 1996, Employee #1, of the East Palo Alto (CA) Police Department, was exposed to a small quantity of acetone and ethanol after a few ounces of these chemicals were seized during arrests at a methamphetamine washing lab. Employee #1 was taken to San Mateo General Hospital, where she was examined and released.

acetone, chemical, chemical vapor, inhalation, vapor, ethanol

Accident: 170632228 - Burned In Ethanol Explosion, Later Dies

On March 9, 1996, Employee #1 was working in the manual glass cutting area of ACI Distribution/VVP America, Inc. The laminated glass panels consisted of two layers of glass separated by a vinyl layer. In preparation for cutting, the glass layers are scored; alcohol is then squirted from a secondary container along the score and ignited to melt the vinyl panel. Employee #1 was setting up the glass panels when a 1-gallon metal can labeled as denatured alcohol solvent (Sunnyside, 86 ethyl alcohol, Class I B flammable solvent), ignited and exploded. Employee #1 sustained second- and third-degree burns over 65 percent of his body. He died on June 1, 1996, of multiple organ failure as a result of his injuries. Subsequent investigation revealed that the cap was on the can when it exploded, and that the enclosed vapor ignited through a 3/16 in. diameter hole made on the top of the can by a coworker about one or two weeks before the accident.

inadequate maint, explosion, burn, flammable liquid, work rules, ethanol, flammable vapors, chemical vapor, combustible liquid, vapor

Accident: 170120711 - Burned By Ignition Of Ether Vapors

Employees #1, #2, and #3 were charging a chemical vessel. The charging process consists of mixing isophthalic acid (trade secret) and recovered ethanol in a 5,000 gallon vessel. The ethanol is piped into the vessel and the powdered isophthalic acid is poured into the top of the vessel through a hatchway. The recovered ethanol contains ethyl ether. Employee #1 noticed a strong smell of ether and ordered the charging operation shut down. As Employee #3 started to shut off the supply of ethanol to the vessel, ether vapors were ignited, possibly from static electricity. All three employees sustained first- and second-degree burns to their faces, hands, and arms.

flammable vapors, static electricity, fire, burn, face, hand, arm, ethanol

Accident: 784017 - Burned By Swinging Door In Oven Explosion

Employee #1 was standing beside a Despatch oven, model special V, serial #58446, that was baking tubes used in battery manufacturing. The tubes were coated with an 80:20 mix of ethanol and phenolic resin. An explosion in the bake chamber caused the door to blow open. One door struck Employee #1 on her upper leg, causing a burn. Employee #1 was sent to Instant Care in Richmond (KY) and was returned to work the same day. She missed one day of work as a result of her personal doctor's action.

explosion, oven, door, burn, leg, struck by, ethanol