At 11:05 a.m. on August 5, 2022, an employee, 59, was pressure testing a pressure vessel for leaks with compressed air when the air pressure became too high within the vessel. The lid of the vessel flew open and struck the employee in the arm, abdomen, chest, and head. The employee was taken to the hospital and died due to his injuries on September 27, 2022.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Initial Penalty | $10,151 | $0 | $0 | $7,252 | $0 | $17,403 |
| Current Penalty | $10,151 | $0 | $0 | $7,252 | $0 | $17,403 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 12/21/2022 | 01/03/2023 | $10,151 | $10,151 | $0 | Z – Issued | ||
| 2. | 01002 | Other | 19040039 A02 | 12/21/2022 | 01/06/2023 | $7,252 | $7,252 | $0 | Z – Issued |
OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.
On or about August 5, 2022, located in the Prototype Lab, the employer did not ensure that internal air pressures were not exceeded on vessels during pressure testing exposing employees to a struck-by hazard.
On August 5, 2022, an employee was performing a pressure test on a modified steel pressure pot using compressed air. The air pressure became too high for the vessel lid’s retaining clamps to maintain its structural integrity during the test resulting in the unexpected release of the lid which fatally injured the employee.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.violation_detail?id=1614963.015&citation_id=01001