OSHA, ASSE Issue Alerts: Some Class D Breathing Air Canisters could be Deadly
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has issued an immediate alert to its 33,000 members, notifying them that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the whereabouts of potentially deadly cylinders of class D breathing air often used when working in a confined space.
The investigation stems from a fatal accident that occurred in Channelview, TX, this month. On March 21, two painters employed by AIS/Basic were wearing sandblast hoods connected to compressed air cylinders that may not have contained a sufficient amount of oxygen. The two workers died.
Following the accident, OSHA's preliminary tests found that the cylinders had a low level of oxygen. As a result, OSHA and the Houston-based manufacturer of the cylinders, Aeriform, are requesting that any and all air cylinders marked "compressed air – breathing" that were purchased within the last three months be tested for oxygen content prior to being used. Aeriform shipped 24 cylinders of class D breathing air to about 30 companies in the Houston, Port Arthur, and Beaumont areas.
ASSE President Frank Perry said that according to OSHA, any potential cylinders, although purchased and currently only found in Texas, could be anywhere in the country at this time and should be checked. "We are working with OSHA to get the word out now before any other tragedies occur," Perry said.
The air cylinders should be checked for an oxygen level of 19" to 23" percent by volume. The cylinders were part of lot number C860-2-00-39RS, which consisted of three clusters of 12 cylinders that were filled at Aeriform on Feb. 8, 2000. Stenciled at the bottom frame of the clustered cylinders are either the numbers 9063 or 9065.
Perry said that since records of product shipment are apparently incomplete, according to OSHA, his association decided to notify its chapters countrywide. "We have received a number of inquiries from our members concerned about this incident," said Perry.
If a cylinder is located, contact Aeriform at 713-926-3166.
By Sandy Smith