Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for California: A General Laborer Dies When He Falls Into a Process Tank of Heated Nickel Acetate

摘要

A 31 year-old male general laborer died when he fell into a process tank of nickel acetate heated to approximately 180 degrees. The decedent, working as a general laborer, was in his assigned area performing a hose rinse to parts being removed from a process tank. Another employee asked the decedent for help in removing a ten-pound metal part from a rinse tank. The decedent left his assigned work area to assist the other employee and stood on the lips of the rinse and nickel acetate tanks to help remove the part. The decedent fell into the adjacent tank that contained the liquid nickel acetate. As the decedent struggled to remove himself, he fell back into the nickel acetate tank a second time. Other employees rescued the decedent from the tank and immediately started hosing him down with de-ionized water while removing his boots and clothing. The decedent was transported to a local medical facility for treatment and was transported by the paramedics to the nearest burn center, where he died of extensive thermo chemical burns. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent future occurrences, employers should, as part of their Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP): (1) Develop methods to ensure that employees only perform work they are trained for and assigned to do. (2) Ensure communication of hazards occurs for all workers with actual or potential exposure to a hazard. (3) Ensure that there are an adequate number of emergency eyewash and showers located throughout critical work areas where hazards require their use. (4) Develop a rescue procedure for the emergency removal and treatment of employees who have fallen into process tanks and train all appropriate employees in the process.