must be operated hastily when an emergency arises; in many instances these valves were found improperly located, some near moving belts and some in such position that the workmen had to reach a considerable distance to operate them. The investigation of one fatal accident disclosed the fact that a workman trying to FIG. 3-A-The result of a mistake of having removed the wrong valve (cap) from a tank car which contained mixed acid. The air valve should have been first removed instead of the acid valve which was removed. A slight pressure within the tank car forced some of the acid out of the tank into the face of the man, blinding and burning him. Note burned flesh of arms. acid pipe lines where the men may be severely burned by acids left in the pipes of such lines. Before such repairs are made, all pipes, pipe lines, and tanks or vats connected therewith should be inspected to determine that all pressure is removed and that both tanks and pipes are empty. FIG. 3 Safe method of pouring acids into a tank preventing splashing by the use of a pipe extension which can be lowered and raised at will. Another important consideration in accident prevention is the location of emergency valves which, though infrequently used, must be operated hastily when an emergency arises; in many instances these valves were found improperly located, some near moving belts and some in such position that the workmen had to reach a considerable distance to operate them. The investigation of one fatal accident disclosed the fact that a workman trying to FIG. 3-A-The result of a mistake of having removed the wrong valve (cap) from a tank car which contained mixed acid. The air valve should have been first removed instead of the acid valve which was removed. A slight pressure within the tank car forced some of the acid out of the tank into the face of the man, blinding and burning him. Note burned flesh of arms. open a globe valve, connected with a steam line to supply steam to an open vat, was compelled to reach some distance for the valve and in so doing fell into a vat containing a mixture of water and sulphuric acid heated to 140° F.; although he was pulled out of the vat at once, he died three days later, the cause of death being given as "shock." FIG. 3-B The result of a mistake of having removed the wrong valve (cap) from a tank car which contained mixed acid. The air valve should have been first removed instead of the acid valve which was removed. A slight pressure within the tank car forced some of the acid out of the tank into the face of the man, blinding and burning him. |