A miner suffered burns when superheated gases carrying hot, fine, alkaline particles were forcefully expelled through an open process vessel door, says the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The victim was on a platform 5-6 feet above other miners who were setting off a Cardox charge to free a blockage in the vessel. He opened the door around the same time they set off the charge.
Best Practices:
- Wear appropriate protective clothing when working around superheated materials.
- Develop and follow safe work procedures for performing hazardous tasks.
- Ensure that equipment operators establish good communications between themselves and other miners that may be working around or near their work areas.
- Stay out of the line of fire when unchoking vessels, chutes and hoppers.
- Task train all persons to recognize all potential hazardous conditions and ensure they understand safe job procedures for elimination of the hazards.
