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OLD HWY 10, RICE, MN 56367
Standard 19100252 D02 XIII
Standard 19100252 D03 I
Employee killed when welding torch ignites fumes in drum
Employee #1 was using an oxyacetylene torch to cut the top of a 55 gallon drum t hat had contained lacquer. The fumes exploded and the drum hit the employee in t he head, fracturing his skull and causing brain damage, of which the employee di ed immediately. The employer stated that Employee #1 had been told to use a hamm er and chisel. He had already used the torch to cut the tops off four other drum s.
Data sourced from Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, Minnesota Attorney General, federal OSHA, and municipal permit offices. Records are public and may not reflect pending appeals or corrections.