When cleaning grease or other materials off of the different type parts, do you recognize what is going on in the atmosphere? Is there a build up of the clean up material? Do you let the build up of the material dissipate in the atmosphere before doing any type hot work? Did you remove any rags or other material that may contain the cleaning agent before beginning hot work?
MSHA Near Miss From: The 9th. – DISTRICT MSHA OFFICE
An explosion of gas occurred at the Bucyrus-Erie Model 1300 dragline. At the time of the explosion, three miners were working on the No. 2 swing gear assembly. The bottom of the assembly was in place and bolted to the floor of the dragline. The upper part of the gear assembly was lowered in place and was held to the bottom by four pins and approximately four loosely tightened bolts. The upper carrier assembly was lowered in place but did not fit properly. This part had been lubricated so that when it was removed lubrication was left on the opening where it was placed and inside the upper gear case assembly.
It was determined that the opening had to be ground to allow the carrier to fit properly. Prior to grinding, liquid WD 40 and Misty Brake and Parts Cleaner II were used to clean the lubricant from the opening and inside the gearbox. A tarp was then put inside the assembly to keep metal grindings out. As the grinding proceeded, sparks from the grinder ignited the fumes from the WD 40 and brake cleaner inside the assembly.
Forces from the explosion came out of the opening where the grinding was being done, injured the welder doing this work, and raised the upper gear assembly approximately two inches off the lower gear case assembly. The welder received second-degree burns to the neck and face and a laceration.
“BE AWARE OF EXPLOSION HAZARDS BE SAFE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO OBSERVE YOUR ENVIRONMENT”
