This event is a perfect example of why all piping openings are hazardous.
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on November 15, 2006, Employee #1 was a process operator at the Chlorine Liquefaction Unit, Block A-19. He was preparing to bleed off chlorine on a process line to clear the line for maintenance work. The valve handle indicated that it was in a closed position.
Employee #1 opened the cap to the bleed valve to insert a tube to clear the chlorine. However, the bleed valve was not completely closed, and the pressure on the chlorine line caused the cap to blow off, releasing chlorine.
Employee #1 was exposed to the inhalation hazard of chlorine gas when his airline became caught on a nearby pipe, and his mask was pulled away. He continued to work until his shift was over. He went to a coworker’s home after leaving the plant because he was too tired to go home.
Employee #1 was hospitalized approximately one hour later. He was pronounced dead at 10:00 a.m. on November 16, 2006.
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Current Violations | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,000 |
| Current Penalty | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,000 |
| 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. | 01001A | Serious | 19100119 F01 IB | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R – Review Commission | Citation has been deleted. |
| 2. | 01001B | Serious | 19100119 F04 | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R – Review Commission | |
| 3. | 01002A | Serious | 19100119 D03 II | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R – Review Commission | Citation has been deleted. |
| 4. | 01002B | Serious | 19100119 J06 II | 04/30/2007 | 05/24/2007 | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | 05/17/2007 | R – Review Commission |
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=310259437