This clip shows actual film of this tragic 1984 incident that has become a regular case study discussed in confined space trainings. On November 15, 1984, one worker died after entering a toluene storage tank. During the rescue attempt, a fireman was killed when the tank exploded. The owner of a bulk petroleum storage facility discovered that the toluene storage tank (10 feet in diameter and 20 feet in height) was contaminated and would have to be drained and cleaned. On the day of the incident a facility supervisor and an unskilled laborer (a San Salvadorean immigrant on his first day back on the job after working another job for approximately 2 months) drained the tank to its lowest level - leaving 2 to 3 inches of sludge and toluene in the bottom. The laborer entered the tank without an SCBA appeared to pass out. At this point, the supervisor told the facility manager (who was on the ground) to call the fire department. The fire department (including the rescue and the hazardous materials teams) arrived on the scene approximately 10 minutes after the initial notification. After appraising the situation, fire officials decided to implement a rescue procedure rather than a hazardous materials procedure. Therefore, removal of the disabled person inside the tank was given top priority. Remember thiswas1984 and several years before OSHA Hazwoper standard. The 16-inch diameter opening at the top of the tank was not large enough to lower a firemen donned in full rescue gear. Therefore, it was decided to cut through the side of the tank to remove the victim. The firemen were aware of the contents of the tank (toluene) and the possibility of an explosion. While the hazardous materials team was cutting, other firemen were spraying water on the saw from the exterior to quench sparks. Two other firemen were spraying water on the interior cut from the top opening. However at the precise time of the explosion, no water was being sprayed on the saw/cut from exterior or interior. Both vertical cuts were completed and the horizontal cut was 95 percent complete when the explosion occurred. One fireman was killed instantly from the explosion and several were injured. The man inside the tank was presumed to be already dead at the time of the explosion. For a completer report on this incident, including recommendations for preventing similar tragedies, read the NIOSH report at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports... . For more on safe confined space entry, work and rescue, go to the OSHA site at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/confinedspac....