Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Environmental Justice
Possible environmental justice impacts during the operations and maintenance phase
include alteration of the scenic quality in areas of traditional or cultural significance
to minority populations. Noise, water, and health and safety impacts are also poten-
tial sources of disproportionate effects to minority or low-income populations.
IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY
*
F
atalities
anD
i
inciDents
•
An employee was installing geothermal piping in a trench that was 6 feet
deep and 30 inches wide. The trench was not sloped, shored, or braced and
it caved in. He was crushed by the dirt and died from asphyxia.
•
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on April 19, 1996, Employee #1, a laborer for
Acme Temporary Services, was working at a geothermal power generating
facility that was being shut down for periodic cleaning. Workers had been
set up in teams of two to open side hatch covers on vessels from which shale
and sand were to be removed. Employee #1 was standing to the right of a
coworker who was removing the retention bolts from a hatch cover when
the hatch popped open and hot water sprayed out over Employee #1. He
sustained severe burns on his arms, back, chest, and legs. Coworkers in the
area came to his aid, removed his clothing and gloves, and placed him in
a full shower. Emergency Services was called and Employee #1 was taken
to the office where burn cream was applied. He was transported by para-
medics to a local medical facility and later taken to a regional burn facility.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the hot water had been trapped in the
vessel due to a faulty drain line.
•
At approximately 11:35 a.m. on August 25, 1994, Employee #1 entered
an 8.4-foot-deep by 8-foot-wide geothermal vault with a 32-inch manhole
entry to rebuild a pressure reducing valve. Before any chemical substance
was introduced into the vault, the oxygen level was between 19.5 and 19.6%.
Atmospheric testing was conducted by the EC unit and by Employee #1 using
a Gastech GX-82 oxygen meter, serial #HX-13452, without an extension
hose; the oxygen levels found were between 19.6 and 19.7%. After WD-40
and Graff-off were introduced into the vault, the oxygen level dropped to
18.9%. Employee #1 also noted hydrogen sulfide levels of 8 ppm. Employee
#1 complained of dizziness, nausea, and difficulty in breathing. He was
diagnosed as having pulmonary edema, which turned into pneumonia three
weeks later. The causal factors of the accident include the employer's failure
to provide workers with confined space and hazard communication training
and with the Material Safety Data Sheet for the product used in the confined
space. The chemical constituents of WD-40 include aliphatic petroleum
distillates and A-70 hydrocarbon propellant; the chemical constituents of
Graff-off include isopropyl alcohol and 40% toluene by weight.
*
Adapted from OSHA's
Green Job Hazards: Geo-Thermal Energy
,
http://www.osha.gov/dep/green-
