Chemical accident in Elk Grove Village, IL injures six

[Ian David]

GLIDE Number: CH-20070303-10162-USA
Date / time: 03/03/2007 04:24:00
Event: Chemical Accident
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Illinois
City: Elk Grove Villag
Number of Deads: None or unknow
Number of Injured: 6 persons
Damage level: Minor

Description:

Fumes sent a firefighter and six plant workers in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village to the hospital today.

The incident occurred at Chicago Blasting and Deburring, an industrial business near O'Hare International Airport which cleans metal parts.

A fire official says the incident started when one of the workers was overcome by fumes from a cleaning solvent he was using to clean a ten-foot-deep vat.

Battalion Chief Jim Denna says two other men climbed in to try to help but also got stuck amid the fumes. Three more workers and a firefighter who came to get them out also needed treatment.

Denna says one of the men was unconscious when the seven were taken to hospitals and none were wearing masks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

More:
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?lang=eng&id=10162

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Those types of fumes can be very nasty

I'm surprised the company didn't have full scale breathing gear for the person cleaning the vat. Hey, we pest control operators use respirators when applying our chemicals.

[Henryman]

2. Confined Space!

Sounds like a violation of OSHA Confined Space Entry. At least the worker wasn't alone. My guess is OSHA enforcement will show up, assess a fine of $10,000. The company will appeal and a judge will reduce the fine to $200.