Qualawash deaths

So many times the second person goes emotional instead of prepared for confined space entry making a double fatality.

So sad when this happens.

 

Very sad of course. But this happened over four years ago.

 

That's okay. A little reminder about confined spaces never hurts.

 

Same thing has happened in the coal mines with bad atmosphere and in the oilfield with H2S.

 

This happens 1-3 times almost every year in the Houston area. There was a dupont plant where 4 where layed out by poisonous fumes. If SOP's were followed. It would have only been 1. And whats really sad is that two of them were brothers.

Seems Osha would have cracked down by now. And local tank washes would have more safety measures in place. But it keeps happening.

 

If osha would inspect all of the washes on that side of town. Then maybe preventative measures could be put in place. I could be off a bit on the count. But there have been about 13 people to die in the last 10 years at tank washes on that side of town.

2 things tend to happen in Houston every year. A plant fire/explosion, and a plant or tank wash worker passing away from chemical fumes or inhaling nitrogen. Some places require H2s monitors. Or some companies only provide 02 monitors. But with a multi monitor one can be alerted of danger of breathing in the wrong thing. And get away quickly from the area. However the multi units cost $$$ and companies aren't willing to spend. So they cheap out and by monitors that only detect one thing.

 

Last tank carrier I worked at had a huge A frame on wheels with a pulley connected to an industrial retrieval winch...looked like a fishing rod on steroids.

After air testing any tank entry was in harness connected to this device with an attendant waiting to crank them back to safety.

Was used for mostly internal inspections by the shop.

This is the minimum in my mind for any tank entry.

 

Problem with nitrogen is its heavier than air and doesn't waft off out of tank. That and it kills people instantly