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Massachusetts Welders Killed in Explosions Caused by Torch Cutting Containers

File Language:
English


Details

  • Description:
    Background: Torch cutting on "empty" containers such as tanks, drums, barrels or pipes can be extremely dangerous. Small amounts of substances remaining in containers can create serious explosion hazards for welders. During the last two years (2000- 2001) three welders in Massachusetts were fatally injured while torch cutting on metal containers at work. Incident # 1: A 61-year-old male mechanic supervisor with over 30 years of welding experience was fatally injured while torch cutting a 55-gallon metal drum. The drum, which had previously contained diesel fuel conditioner, exploded while he was cutting off the lid to recycle the container. The explosion caused the drum lid to strike the victim in the head and chest knocking him to the ground. He was rushed to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition and died seven days after the incident. Incident # 2: A 48-year-old male welder with over 30 years of welding experience was fatally injured while using a torch to install a bung in a new oil delivery truck tank. The 5,000-gallon truck tank had contained approximately 2,800 gallons of fuel oil at the time of the incident. The explosion caused severe burns to the victim. He was transported to a local hospital where he died eight hours later. Incident # 3: A 28-year-old male service manager with six years of experience was fatally injured while torch cutting a 55-gallon metal drum. The drum, which had previously contained windshield washer fluid concentrate, exploded while he was cutting off the lid. The explosion caused the lid to strike the victim and land approximately 250 feet way. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Recommendations to prevent similar incidents: Treat every container to be torch cut as if it contains a flammable substance. Never weld, cut, or perform other hot work on a container unless the container has been cleaned and vented thoroughly. Test the internal atmosphere of the container, after cleaning and venting and before performing hot work, with a calibrated direct-reading instrument for flammable gases and vapors. Use a hand held manual lid remover when removing a lid from a barrel or drum (instead of torch cutting or using a pneumatic tool, which produces sparks). Never use a container as a hot work bench. In addition, employers should provide annual training for welders that reinforces proper torch cutting procedures including equipment use, awareness of hazards and safe work practices. [Description provided by NIOSH]
  • Subjects:
  • Keywords:
  • Series:
    Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE)
  • Publisher:
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • Document Type:
    Text
  • Funding:
    Cooperative Agreement
  • Genre:
    Newsletter
  • Place as Subject:
  • CIO:
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Topic:
    Workplace Safety & Health
  • Location:
    North America
  • Pages in Document:
    1-2
  • Volume:
    5
  • Issue:
    1
  • NIOSHTIC Number:
    nn:20034281
  • Citation:
    FACE Facts 2002 Jun; 5(1):1-2
  • Contact Point Address:
    Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
  • Federal Fiscal Year:
    2002
  • NORA Priority Area:
    Disease and Injury: Traumatic Injuries
  • Performing Organization:
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • Peer Reviewed:
    False
  • Start Date:
    20010901
  • Source Full Name:
    Fatality Investigation Report: FACE Facts
  • End Date:
    20061031
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:540468f30f03164863d65a9cc7cb6078c3fb87848aed83eb12802a901cef0a897455a4565fcd61c911bd087ffa7b67d5138bbb0a50aed3c3ccabb85b4636635c
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 135.26 KB ]
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