Sulfuric Acid Reaction Created Hydrogen Gas Explosion
On may 23, 1984 between 8:50 and 8:55 pm, employee #1, a dye beam operator, was drawing concentrated sulfuric acid into a plastic pail. He added to this pail the contents of a "drip pail" which had been located under the 55 gallon acid drum. The pail started "smoking" and exploded a few seconds later, sending a plume of acid to the ceiling about 20 ft. Up. Three other nearby employees and employee #1 received skin burns when the acid rained down upon them. A fourth, further away, went to the hospital to have his ear plugs removed.
Event Date
May 23, 1984
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
sulfuric acid reaction
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
acid drum
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Pre-event Summary
A dye beam operator was drawing concentrated (66 Baume') sulfuric acid into a plastic pail. He added to this pail the contents of a "drip pail" which had been located under the 55 gallon acid drum.
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Accident Summary Nr: 14265011
https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=142650…
(accessed March 2023)