Case No.10
Organic solvent poisoning during work to remodel a
used tank |
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[Circumstances of
Incident]
This accident occurred
at a company that processes industrial waste when an used tank that had
been used for toluene was being remodeled for acid and
alkali.
On the day of the accident, two
workers were replacing a flange that had lost its air tightness, and which
was located near the bottom of the tank.
The two workers affixed a rope ladder and a main rope for
safety belt at the upper part of the tank's exterior wall. They then
entered the tank alternatively in an unsuccessful effort to adjust the
size of the replacement flange to the tank.
The lead worker left the work site after giving the other
worker instructions to clean the portion of the tank to which the flange
is fixed from the outside of the tank.
Soon after returning to the site, the lead worker found his
colleague lying unconscious inside the tank. He pushed the tank over on
its side, cut off the upper end of the tank and pulled the victim out,
only to find that he was already dead.
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[Causes]
The
following can be cited as the causes of this accident.
1. The assumed direct cause is residual
organic solvent sludge in the tank was stirred up by the activity of the
workers and started to evaporate and fill the tank. The victim entered the
tank without knowing what was happening and poisoned by the organic
solvent gas.
2. The indirect causes of
this accident relate to the following:
(1)
The contents of the used tank were not confirmed when the tank was
purchased. (2) Although the oxygen
concentration was measured to prevent oxygen deficiency, the concentration
of organic solvent vapor was not measured. (3)
Ventilation was not performed before starting work and protective
respirators were not used. (4) No watchman was
placed at the work site despite the fact that the work was being done
inside the tank. (5) Workers had no knowledge
concerning the risks and toxicity dangers for work inside the tank, and
had not undergone the necessary education or training.
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[Type of business]
Industrial waste management business [Type of accident]Contact
with hazardous substances [Number of victims] One
fatality |