" welding gas cylinder .. suffered a catastrophic structural failure"

The use, transportation, and storage of gas cylinders in our plants is a hidden hazard. All too often on our plant visits we will see unsafe practices involved in the use or storage of gas cylinders. When we explain to our hosts during the exit interview our observations we are confident that our comments are taken seriously and any previously unknown hazards are corrected. But, we cannot visit every plant. Here is a recent incident involving a gas cylinder emphasizing the need for proper use, transportation, and storage in our plants.

An investigation is underway at (fabrication company) into the cause of a silo explosion that killed one person. ”Yeah, there was a ball of fire at first, but it extinguished once it burnt all the gas down,” said local County Sheriff. Local County Fire and Rescue responded to an alarm one day during the first week of June 2018 just after 7:20 a.m. They said one of the two employees they found was relocating cylinders used for the company’s welding.

Upon their arrival, authorities discovered that a pressurized welding gas cylinder had suffered a catastrophic structural failure which resulted in the death of one employee. No other employees were injured. “It was found that the bottle contained nitrogen butane and propane," said the public safety director at Local County Fire and Rescue. "He was moving the cylinder to a safer area and the bottle exploded on him.”

Sheriff's deputies plan to remain on scene, restricting access to the facilities to ensure that all hazardous materials are contained. OSHA and the State Fire Marshall have been called in to investigate as well. No foul play is suspected. The worker leaves behind a wife and two children.

Compressed gas safety information can be found here.

We offer our sincere condolences to the deceased worker’s family, friends, and coworkers on their loss of the loved one. This is the first time that we left personal information about the worker. We do this not because we want to place blame. But, for the reader to understand, acknowledge, feel that the deceased worker was someone who was dearly loved, a father, a husband, a friend, a coworker, etc. We do this because we want the reader to self-reflect on their own life. That you too are loved. You too are cared for.

We have told this story before verbally many times. A number of years ago a plant asked one of the editors to visit and speak about safety. During one of the presentations the speaker talked about the big picture. That in the audience there were two wide ranges of people in terms of where they were in their lives. On the positive side there were workers who were having a great life, all was going well. Either having a newborn baby, newly married, purchased their first house, just promoted, etc.. But, on the other side there were workers who were having a difficult time in their lives. From a recent divorce, or relationship breakup, illness of a loved one, depression, etc. We explained that no matter where you are in life, someone loves you, someone cares for you, that you matter.

While saying that the speaker noticed a woman a few rows from the front with tears running down her face. She sat while everyone else departed. The plant manager and I sat next to her and I asked if she was ok? She responded “I didn’t think I mattered, I didn’t think anyone loved me”. I told her “yes you do matter and I love you honey.” I explained to her that she has to be safe not only for herself but for those who loved her. She looked at me and said “thanks” wiped away her tears and got up and left.

I have retold that story to thousands for every worker to understand that they matter. For you the reader you to matter. So, please be safe.

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