Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Steel Worker Dies in Industrial Waste Pit in Pennsylvania

摘要

A fatal accident in which a steel worker fell into an industrial waste pit in Pennsylvania was investigated. A mobile crane was being used to change a steam operated vertical pump in the pit. The steel worker, a 58 year old man, fell into the waste pit and died as a result. The pit was a collection point for wastes from coke oven operations. The covering on the pit consisted of several pieces of 1 inch thick unsecured steel grating. Light tars, light oils, water and naphthalene (66773) usually filled about 10 to 11 feet of the pit with a resulting temperature of about 160 to 180 degrees-F. Two of the four workers involved were standing on a piece of steel grating measuring 22 by 42 inches, supported by two I-beams, one along each short edge of the grating. These I-beams were covered with tar and condensation which may have contributed to the accident. The grating slipped and fell from the I-beams into the pit. One worker straddled an I-beam and avoided injury; the other fell into the pit and was killed. While the victim had worked for the company over 30 years, including 2 years as equipment repair technician, this was the first time he had been involved in this kind of operation.