Employee #1 attempted to replace a leaking oil valve on a minus 30 degree freezer when a tank inside the freezer exploded. The company uses anhydrous ammonia to manufacture ice cream. The liquid ice cream mixture (at 50 degrees) is added to the tank. This freezer was down for seven days, and the tank’s oil had congealed. Normal weekly maintenance requires the removal of used oil through the oil valve. Employee #1 closed all valve lines and used steam to loosen the thick oil. The steam caused pressure to build up inside the tank, and the tank, not equipped with a relief valve, exploded.
When the tank exploded, Employee #1 was killed.
Employee #2 was approximately 10 feet away and was hospitalized with burns to his eyes.
Employee #3 was injured in an adjacent room when he inhaled the ammonia vapors.
Production Room: An explosion on 12-26-89 from the model M-30 CP continuous ice cream freezer containing anhydrous ammonia. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to install a safety pressure relief mechanism to relieve excess pressure due to changing of temperature and/or conditions.
Production Room: Sudden release of or exposure to ammonia during maintenance work on the three (3) CP continuous ice cream freezers and their related systems. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct would be to develop and implement a written program specifically addressing the proper steps to take in the following:
1) Safe Handling
2) Safe Operating
3) Correct maintenance guidelines
4) Proper action to take in the event of an anhydrous
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Current Violations | 6 | 6 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $6,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,000 |
| Current Penalty | $3,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,000 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | Contest | Latest Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 02/26/1990 | 03/19/1990 | $500 | $1,000 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 2. | 01002 | Serious | 5A0001 | 02/26/1990 | 05/20/1990 | $500 | $1,000 | P – Petition to Mod Abatement | |
| 3. | 01003 | Serious | 19100132 A | 02/26/1990 | 04/20/1990 | $500 | $1,000 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100133 A01 | 02/26/1990 | 04/20/1990 | $500 | $1,000 | I – Informal Settlement | |
| 5. | 01005 | Serious | 19100134 A02 | 02/26/1990 | 05/20/1990 | $500 | $1,000 | P – Petition to Mod Abatement | |
| 6. | 01006 | Serious | 19100151 C | 02/26/1990 | 04/20/1990 | $500 | $1,000 | I – Informal Settlement |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=102809464