Alert 07 – 26 Caustic Barrel Steam / Acetylene Cutting Results in an Injury
WHAT HAPPENED:
A caustic barrel required repair for a seized mixing paddle. The barrel was flushed for 30 minutes then drained and sent to the Hot Work Area for repairs. After the welder cut a rectangular window to access the shaft & paddles on the bottom he noticed a 2” thick hardened buildup of caustic on the bottom; he assumed this was what was seizing up the paddles and used a piece of small square tubing to pry the paddles around. As he bent over to look inside vapor/steam escaped from the observation hole and covered the unprotected portions of his upper face.