Purcell Tire, mining company cited in worker's death

ERJ staff report (TB)

By Miles Moore, Senior Washington reporter

Carlin, Nevada -- Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. said it will contest citations from the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) over the 28 Oct 2011, death of a mining tire technician at the Newmont USA Ltd gold mine in Carlin.

Purcell Tire is the mining tyre contractor for Newmont at the Carlin mine. Joe Ashdown, a 21-year-old Purcell employee, was repairing a Bridgestone VRDP 46/90R57 off-road tyre from the inside when he was overcome by fumes from trichloroethylene glue.

The MSHA defines trichloroethylene as a halogenated hydrocarbon used as a solvent. It is a colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor that evaporates as the glue dries, according to Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), which states overexposure to TCE can cause central nervous system depression with symptoms of headache, dizziness, stupor, loss of consciousness or death.

Ashdown was not wearing a respirator when he was working on the tyre, as he should have done, the MSHA said in its report on Ashdown's death. Because of the massive size of the tyre, his colleagues did not immediately see him lying unconscious inside it. Ashdown was pronounced dead about an hour after he was discovered, the MSHA said.

The agency determined that Ashdown, who had been with Purcell Tire for only 39 weeks and four days, had been inadequately trained to deal with this situation.

“The accident occurred due to mine and contract management's failure to provide adequate procedures and controls to protect persons working with toxic chemicals,” the agency said.

“Management failed to install proper engineering controls to control chemical vapors in the work area, provide appropriate respiratory protection, and conduct surveys verifying the adequacy of controls,” the MSHA said. “Ashdown did not receive instruction in the safety and health aspects and safe work procedures of the task of repairing tyres using trichloroethylene glue.”

Robert Purcell, CEO and chairman of Purcell Tire, said in a public statement that Ashdown was “a valued member of the Purcell family.” However, he said the company strongly disputes the conclusions the MSHA reached in its investigation.

“Over its 76-year history, Purcell has had an outstanding safety record, and Purcell takes very seriously the responsibility to protect the safety and health of its employees,” Purcell said. The company will request a hearing before an administrative law judge, he said.

The MSHA will assess penalties against Purcell and Newmont in the coming weeks, according to an agency spokeswoman. The largest penalty the MSHA can levy for a flagrant safety violation is $220 000, she said.

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