NOT only was this worker welding, but he/she had also used a flammable liquid to clean the spot they wanted to weld and then kept the OPEN bucket of flammable liquid right at the point of work. When they struck the arc, the vapors in the bucket ignited and the worker kicked the bucket of flammable liquid, which was on fire, away from him. This was not the right choice…
At 11:00 a.m. on March 22, 2019, an employee was using a MIG welder to tack weld a bracket onto a truck axle housing. The employee had cleaned the axle housing using a brake cleaner/degreaser and a bucket to catch the residue as well as any excess brake cleaning fluid. The employee struck an arc with the welder and the bucket of brake cleaner ignited. The employee kicked the bucket away and the fluid splashed and the vapor in the air flashed, melting the employee’s polyester uniform to his body. The employee was hospitalized.
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Violation Summary
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Total | |
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Initial Penalty | $6,819 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,819 |
| Current Penalty | $3,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,500 |
| FTA Amount | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Violation Items | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | ID | Type | Standard | Issuance | Abate | Curr$ | Init$ | Fta$ | LastEvent |
| 1. | 01001A | Serious |
19100252 A01 I – Fire hazards. If the object to be welded or cut cannot readily be moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place. |
06/18/2019 | 07/17/2019 | $3,500 | $6,819 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
| 2. | 01001B | Serious |
19100252 A02 XIV C 2 – If the work cannot be moved, have the combustibles moved to a safe distance from the work or have the combustibles properly shielded against ignition. |
06/18/2019 | 07/17/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
| 3. | 02001 | Other |
19100252 B03 – Protective clothing – General requirements. Employees exposed to the hazards created by welding, cutting, or brazing operations shall be protected by personal protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of 1910.132. Appropriate protective clothing required for any welding operation will vary with the size, nature and location of the work to be performed. |
06/18/2019 | 07/17/2019 | $0 | $0 | $0 | I – Informal Settlement |
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