Incident Investigation: Drum Explodes During Welding, Killing Worker | WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC

12 Jun 201203:12

Summary

TLDRA tragic incident at a kayak manufacturing shop highlights the dangers of hot work on drums that once contained flammable substances. A worker's attempt to repurpose an acetone drum resulted in a fatal explosion due to residual vapors. The video underscores the importance of risk assessment, adhering to MSDS precautions, and training in safe work practices to prevent such accidents.

Takeaways

🔥 Acetone vapors are highly explosive: Even a small amount of acetone vapor in a large drum can create an explosive environment.
🛠️ Tragic incident at a kayak manufacturing shop: A worker lost his life attempting to weld on an empty acetone drum.
🚫 Rinsing with water is not enough: Despite rinsing, the drum still contained explosive levels of residual acetone.
👷‍♂️ Worker safety is paramount: The script emphasizes the importance of safety precautions when dealing with flammable substances.
🔧 Welding on empty acetone drums is dangerous: The act of welding on a drum that once held flammable substances can have fatal consequences.
🔍 Perform a risk assessment: Before engaging in hot work, assess potential dangers to prevent accidents.
📄 Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): The MSDS for acetone provides important safety information and precautions.
⛔️ Follow manufacturer's instructions: Adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines on handling and working with flammable substances.
🧼 Proper cleaning procedures: Ensure drums are thoroughly cleaned and tested for residues before any hot work is performed.
👨‍🏫 Training and supervision are essential: Workers must be trained and supervised to understand the risks and safety procedures.
⚠️ Learn from past incidents: The script serves as a reminder to be vigilant about the dangers of hot work on drums that have contained flammable substances.

Q & A

What is the minimum amount of acetone needed to create an explosive vapor inside a 44-gallon drum?
-Only about a tablespoon of acetone evaporated inside a 44-gallon drum is enough to create an explosive vapor.
What was the worker trying to create from the empty acetone drum?
-The worker was trying to create a shop cart from the empty acetone drum.
What was the initial problem the worker faced while welding on the acetone drum?
-The worker had trouble welding and asked the shop's owner to check the welder's settings.
What action did the shop's owner take to help the worker with the welding issue?
-The owner performed a test weld on the lid, adjusted the welder's settings, and then gave the welding gun back to the worker.
What happened when the worker attempted a second weld on the caster?
-The welding arc burned through the lid, igniting the acetone vapor inside the drum, which exploded and threw the worker across the room.
What was the outcome for the worker after the explosion?
-The worker later died from his injuries sustained in the explosion.
What did the lab testing of the fluid remaining in the drum reveal?
-The lab testing showed that even though the drum had been rinsed, it contained enough residual acetone to become explosive.
Why can reusing a drum that once held flammable substances be a big mistake?
-Reusing a drum that once held flammable substances can be a big mistake because it may still contain residual flammable substances that can cause fires or explosions.
What is the term used for work that can initiate fires or explosions, such as welding, cutting, and grinding?
-The term used for such work is 'hot work'.
What should be done before performing hot work on a drum that previously held flammable substances?
-A risk assessment should be done to identify potential dangers, including checking the precautions in the MSDS for the substance and following the manufacturer's instructions for flammable substances.
What precautions should be taken when hot work is allowed on a drum that previously held flammable substances?
-Safe work procedures should be set up, such as how to clean the drum and how to test for residues. Workers should also be trained and supervised in these procedures to ensure they understand the risks and precautions.
What is the importance of knowing the contents of a drum before performing hot work on it?
-Knowing the contents of a drum before performing hot work is crucial to assess whether it poses a danger and to take necessary precautions to prevent accidents like fires or explosions.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Deadly Consequences of Ignoring Safety Precautions

This paragraph details a tragic incident at a kayak manufacturing shop where a worker's life was lost due to improper handling of an empty acetone drum. The worker attempted to weld casters onto the drum, which had been rinsed and drained but still contained explosive acetone vapors. Despite the MSDS warnings and the drum's label against welding, the worker proceeded with the task, leading to a fatal explosion. The incident underscores the importance of conducting risk assessments, following manufacturer's instructions for flammable substances, and training workers on safety procedures to prevent such accidents.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Acetone

Acetone is a highly flammable and volatile organic compound commonly used as a solvent in various industrial processes. In the video's context, it is the substance that once filled the drum and remained in residual amounts, leading to an explosion when ignited by a welding arc. The video emphasizes the danger of using acetone-filled drums for other purposes without proper safety measures.

💡Explosive

The term 'explosive' refers to the potential of a substance to cause a rapid expansion of gases and release of energy, often with destructive power. In the script, the drum filled with acetone vapor becomes explosive due to the evaporated acetone, which is a key point illustrating the hazards of flammable substances in confined spaces.

💡Fiberglass worker

A 'fiberglass worker' is a professional involved in the manufacturing process of fiber-reinforced plastic products, often used in industries like boat or kayak manufacturing. The script narrates a tragic incident where a fiberglass worker loses his life due to an explosion while welding on an acetone drum, highlighting the importance of safety in industrial settings.

💡Welding

Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals, by causing coalescence through the application of heat. The script describes a fatal accident that occurred during welding on an acetone drum, emphasizing the need for proper risk assessment and adherence to safety protocols when performing hot work.

💡Hot work

Hot work encompasses any operation that could generate sufficient heat to cause a fire or an explosion, such as welding, cutting, and grinding. The video script uses the term to stress the inherent risks associated with these activities, especially when performed on containers that previously held flammable substances.

💡Risk assessment

A risk assessment is the process of identifying potential hazards and evaluating the risks associated with them to determine appropriate safety measures. The video script mentions the necessity of conducting a risk assessment before performing hot work, which would have included checking the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for acetone.

💡MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

The MSDS is a document that provides information on the potential hazards of a chemical substance and how to safely handle, use, and dispose of it. In the script, the MSDS for acetone would have provided warnings against welding on or near the drum, which was overlooked, leading to the tragic explosion.

💡Residual

Residual refers to a remaining amount or substance after a process has been completed. The script highlights that even though the acetone drum was rinsed, there were still residual amounts of acetone that created a hazardous condition, demonstrating the importance of thorough cleaning and testing for residues.

💡Safety procedures

Safety procedures are established protocols designed to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of workers. The video script discusses the importance of setting up and following safety procedures when performing hot work, including cleaning drums and testing for residues to prevent accidents.

💡Supervision

Supervision in the workplace involves overseeing and directing the activities of workers to ensure safety and quality of work. The script implies that proper supervision and training of workers on safety procedures could have prevented the accident by ensuring they were aware of the risks and precautions.

💡Tragedy

A tragedy is a distressing event with serious consequences, often involving loss or harm. The script recounts a workplace tragedy that resulted in the death of a worker, serving as a cautionary tale to emphasize the importance of safety precautions and adherence to safety protocols in industrial environments.

Highlights

A small amount of acetone can create an explosive vapor within a large drum.

A fibreglass worker lost his life due to welding on an empty acetone drum.

The worker was attempting to repurpose an empty acetone drum into a shop cart.

Rinsing the drum with water and draining it was insufficient to remove explosive risk.

The worker used a grinder to clean the drum's surface for welding, which can be dangerous.

The welding arc ignited acetone vapors inside the drum, leading to a fatal explosion.

Lab tests showed residual acetone in the drum was enough to cause an explosion.

Reusing drums that held flammable substances can lead to serious accidents.

Welding, cutting, and grinding are examples of hot work with potential fire and explosion risks.

Avoid hot work on drums if possible to prevent accidents.

Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential dangers before hot work.

Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for safety precautions on flammable substances.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for handling flammable substances.

Establish safe work procedures for cleaning and testing drums for residues.

Train and supervise workers on the risks and precautions associated with hot work.

Learn from past tragedies to ensure safety when working with drums.

Know the contents of a drum and assess the danger before performing hot work.