Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Three Fire Fighters Killed Fighting Silo Fire in Ohio

摘要

A fatal accident circumstances and epidemiology (FACE) report on a confined space accident in Ohio was presented. Three fire fighters were killed when a burning silo exploded. The fire fighters were spraying water onto the fire from the top of the silo when it exploded. Witnesses stated that the bottom and top doors of the silo were open when the fire department arrived. The explosion was attributed to either a build up of combustible gases due to incomplete combustion or a dust explosion, or both. Recommendations include not pouring water onto silo fires through the top hatches of an oxygen limiting silo and keeping the silo hatches closed except when filling or emptying the silo.