A global manufacturer of industrial gas could have prevented a May 2023 explosion that severely injured several employees by following required operating procedures in the manufacturing process where diborane — a toxic, colorless, and pyrophoric gas — is produced, distilled, mixed, and transferred.
OSHA determined the explosion occurred as a 25-year-old product technician used a heat gun to transfer gas from an aluminum source cylinder to a steel cylinder. The blast propelled the worker through the building’s wall, causing severe injuries. They were flown to a Hospital’s trauma center and treated for brain injuries, third-degree burns, and a leg amputation. Four other workers suffered various injuries and were treated at the hospital. In addition, first responders aiding in the employees’ rescue suffered chemical burns to their hands and necks and were taken to the Hospital Burn Center.
After its investigation, OSHA cited the business for willfully exposing workers to fire and explosion hazards by requiring them to use equipment not intrinsically safe in the presence of flammable chemicals and vapors. OSHA proposed $201,573 in penalties to address the safety violations found in the investigation. The agency also cited the employer for 12 serious violations for the following failures: