At 6:52 p.m. on August 10, 2020, three (3) employees attempted to remove a clog from a hydrolyzed. A hydrolyzed apparatus is used to conduct the hydrolysis reaction in starch. The employees were unable to get the steam to release from the pressure vessel. Employee #1, a senior maintenance worker, made the decision to open a flange positioned at the bottom of the pressure vessel to release the steam. As Employee #1 slowly loosened the bolts, steam would unexpectedly release, causing the employees to jump away from the escaping steam to prevent burning. This continued for approximately ten minutes when Employee #1 decided to take a break to cool down and let the area clear out of steam.
Employee #1 instructed Employee #2 and the coworker to take a break as well. While Employee #1 was taking his break, Employee #2, a maintenance technician, decided he would assist in the removal of the flange and began to repeat the process that Employee #1 used to release the steam. When Employee #1 returned, he noticed Employee #2 performing the same method of steam removal as he was doing and scolded Employee #2 for not following his directions.
During the argument, both Employee #1 and Employee #2 were untightening the bolts, and suddenly, the flange cover broke free, releasing high-pressure steam and engulfing the employees. The coworkers on-site attempted to render first aid, and 911 was called for emergency services. Employee #1 and Employee #2 were transported to the hospital and admitted to the burn center. Employee #1 and Employee #2 sustained steam burns to over 70 percent of their body and died on August 14, 2020, as a result of their injuries.
OSHA issued two (2) Repeat citations for $75K.