Quenching tank: Accidental drowning in hot quenching oil

Abstract

We describe an unusual case of drowning in fluid other than water in an industrial setting. A 26-year-old man was working in an industry which performs surface treatment of mechanical steel parts with quenching oil. He fell into the quenching oil (which was hot due to immersion of red hot metal parts), and as he was working alone in the particular section, there was a fatal outcome. A medico-legal autopsy was performed. The causes of death were found to be multiple, with the association of drowning, extensive superficial burns and asphyxia due to laryngeal oedema. To our knowledge, it is the first report of drowning in hot quenching oil, and only nine previous observations of drowning in industrial environments have been reported in the international literature. Even though rare, these kinds of accidental deaths can be prevented in dangerous industries with proper precautions and strict adherence to standard operating procedures.

Investigation of Drowning Deaths: A Practical Review

“…Physical injury may be lacking altogether in certain cases of drowning, such as those involving electrocution (57). Thermal and chemical injuries subsequent to immersion/submersion with drowning in liquid mediums such as gasolines, hot oils, and waxes have been reported (58, 59). Other injuries that are not related to drowning may give clues to the circumstances that may have precipitated drowning such as the presence of track marks indicating intravenous drug use, healed incised wounds of the wrists indicating previous suicide attempts, or surgical scars indicative of disability.…”