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Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1488133.015 - Darling Ingredients, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Jackson Area Office
Site Address:
Darling Ingredients, Inc.
1299 Prisock Road
Byram, MS 39272
Mailing Address:
1299 Prisock Road, Byram, MS 39272
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 311613/Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 08/13/2020
Emphasis:
Case Closed:
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Referral | 1642293 | Yes | |
| Accident | 1644047 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $75,092 | $0 | $0 | $75,092 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $75,092 | $0 | $0 | $75,092 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001A | Repeat | 19100147 C04 II | 02/09/2021 | 04/15/2021 | $75,092 | $75,092 | $0 | 03/03/2021 | C - Contested | |
| 2. | 01001B | Repeat | 19100147 C04 II B | 02/09/2021 | 04/15/2021 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 03/03/2021 | C - Contested |
Investigation Summary
At 6:52 p.m. on August 10, 2020, two employees and a coworker were attempting to remove a clog from a hydrolyzer. The employees and the coworker did not lock out or isolate the stored energy and were unable to get the steam to release from the pressure vessel. Employee #1, a senior maintenance worker, made the decision to open a flange positioned at the bottom of the pressure vessel to release the steam. As Employee #1 slowly loosened the bolts, steam would unexpectedly release, causing the employees and the coworker to jump away from the escaping steam to prevent burning. This continued for approximately ten minutes when Employee #1 decided to take a break to cool down and let the area clear out of steam. Employee #1 instructed Employee #2 and the coworker to take a break as well. While Employee #1 was taking his break, Employee #2, a maintenance technician, decided he would assist in the removal of the flange and began to repeat the process that Employee #1 was using to release the steam. When Employee #1 returned, he noticed Employee #2 performing the same method of steam removal as he was doing and scolded Employee #2 for not following his directions. During the course of the argument, both Employee #1 and Employee #2 were untightening the bolts and suddenly the flange cover broke free, releasing high-pressured steam and engulfing the employees. The coworkers on site attempted to render first aid and 911 was called for emergency services. Employee #1 and employee #2 were transported to the hospital and admitted to the burn center. Employee #1 and Employee #2 sustained steam burns to over 70 percent of their body and died on August 14, 2020 as a result of their injuries.
Keywords: Bolt, Burn, Engulfed, Maintenance, Steam
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1488133.015 | 30 | M | Fatality | Industrial machinery repairers | |
| 2 | 1488133.015 | 30 | M | Fatality | Industrial machinery repairers |