Advanced Precision Fabricators: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Jan 25, 1989 (fatal): Employee killed when crushed by falling vessel

On January 25, 1989, Employee #1, a welder, was allegedly walking to a saw on th e east wall of a shop, using the only logical or convenient pathway. He had been welding on a vessel that was about 8 to 10 ft west of another work station. At that work station a replacement welder had been assigned to weld nozzles and pad s onto a 4,618 lb, 72 in. outer diameter, 59 29/33 in. vertical vulcanizer. The vulcanizer was being supported on two Pandjiris turning rolls, models PR-30 and IR-10. The turning rolls provided support and rotation manipulation of the vesse l. When the replacement welder picked up the pendant type electric remote contro l and began to slowly rotate or maneuver the vessel, the nozzles on both sides o f the vessel tilted off into the pathway of Employee #1. The vessel came off the rolls and crushed him against another vessel. Employee #1 suffered a fractured cervical spine and died within minutes of the accident.