Struck by dislodged flying object, particle · Fractures
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Umicore Specialty Materials Recycling, LLC, 28960 Lakeland Blvd., WICKLIFFE, OHIO 44092
on — Fractures, affecting the multiple head locations.
Final narrative
While sending air through a pipe for cleaning purposes, an employee used a hammer to hit the pressurized pipe to unclog it. As the employee struck the pipe, a strainer (which lined the inside of the cap) flew off, striking the employee in the forehead. The employee sustained a fracture to the eye socket and skull, which required surgery.
HospitalizedMultiple head locationsCaps, lids, covers, n.e.c.
More severe injuries at Umicore Specialty Materials Recycling, LLC
An employee was tossing a damaged toilet into a compactor. The toilet bounced off the compactor and lacerated the employee's right wrist, cutting an artery and tendon.
An employee was operating a hydraulic jack to bend a frame when the jack came loose and struck the employee. They were hospitalized for a spleen injury.
A truck had been towed into the shop with a flat tire and a blown airbag. An employee checked the tire for damage and was airing the tire. The employee was installing the valve core when the bead slipped off the rim. Air escaped, and the aluminum wheel struck the employee's head and face. The employee became unresponsive and was bleeding.
On December 14, 2023, at 8:40 p.m., three employees were inspecting milling machines for startup. A few of the sleeves on the mill drum needed to be changed out. The injured employee was trying to input a sleeve on the mill drum using a hammer. The hammer hit the edge of the drum, which caused a metal piece to splinter off and strike the employee's cheek just below the left eye. The metal splinter embedded in the back of their eye socket, resulting in pain, swelling, and bleeding that required hospitalization.
An employee was pushing a line of carts into a vestibule when the door cable snapped and struck his right ankle. The employee suffered a fracture that required surgery and hospitalization.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 331410)
An employee opened a roll-off container while standing behind the box. Scrap metal fell out of the door and landed on their left leg, causing a fracture just above the ankle.
An employee was removing scrap metal pieces from work he was conducting and placing the scraps behind him. He kicked the scrap metal out of the way, and in doing so, cut his right leg just below the calf muscle and above the top of his boot. The employee required surgery for a torn Achilles tendon.
On March 28, 2024, at about 2:30 AM, two employees were using a manual metal crimping tool to secure steel straps around a pallet of finished product. The injured employee's right little finger became pinched in the tool, resulting in a partial amputation.
An employee was working to deliver mail to an apartment building. She was waiting for a customer to move, to obtain clearance to the mailboxes. The door swung inward and closed on her right little finger. The top half of her finger was surgically amputated.
An employee fell from a step ladder while reaching for a tie-off point. He impacted the ground, and landed on his bolt bag which contained tools. The employee was hospitalized with fractured ribs, and a lacerated spleen and kidney.
On October 30, 2025, an employee was working to adjust a stackable metal shipping container. As the container dropped into place, it caught the employee's hands in an area between the upper and lower cross-members. The employee suffered a laceration to the left ring finger that required stitches, bruising to the right ring finger, and fractures to the right middle finger that necessitated medical amputation of the fingertip.
An employee was moving a scissor lift through a doorway. The employee was pinned between the scissor lift and the doorframe, sustained a back injury, and was hospitalized.
An employee was setting up communication equipment for a meeting. They were walking and tripped over a speaker on the ground. The employee sustained a leg injury.