Fatal Hot Work - Tank Explosion (September 2017)
UPDATED on 10/4/2017 with FD Run Report Narrative This week we saw another fatal hot work explosion associated with welding on a container/vessel. This time we lost a 29-year-old father, who was supposedly standing on or next to the tank when it exploded. He was found 75' away deceased and two other contractors were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The Augusta Fire Chief has said that the explosion was caused by a welding accident (a welder can be seen in the picture). The tank involved was said to be a waste-water collection tank. Investigators have stated that the tank was leaking into its dike and the facility hired a contractor to fix the leak(s); although at the time of the explosion, the welders were said to have been welding a plate onto the outside of the tank in preparation for installing a handrail around the top of the tank. The source is claiming that the atmosphere surrounding the outside of the tank was tested, but the atmosphere inside was not. They still don't know what the gas/vapor was, but it obviously was flammable. |
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