I am unsure how to be any louder or more straightforward to the food industry regarding their “Tunnel Freezers.” A lot of folks are aware of the Chemical Safety Board’s investigation into the food plant accident that claimed the lives of 5 workers and injured dozens more. But did you know there was a DOUBLE fatality accident in December 2020, a month before, involving a very similar freezer and consequences?
The one in December actually had gas detection in place, as required by the State Fire Code (CA was the state); however, “the chill/production room emergency alarms, Oxygen Deficiency monitor did not provide a warning to the employees of an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.”
At 7:45 p.m. on December 1, 2020, Employee #1, a production lead supervisor, entered the chill/production room. She observed a cloud generating in the immediate area of the freezer tunnel. She investigated the cause of the cloud and was killed by asphyxiation. Approximately one hour later, Employee #2, a production supervisor, entered the chill/production room. He observed Employee #1 on the floor and went over to her. Employee #2 was overcome by the lack of oxygen in the room and was also killed by asphyxiation.
Liquid nitrogen released from the tunnel freezer in the chill/production room created an oxygen-deficient atmosphere that asphyxiated both employees.
The chill/production room emergency alarms and oxygen Deficiency monitor did not provide a warning to the employees of an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
Updated on 1/26/2024 by adding a link to the CSB’s accident report